The largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard is being transported to Baltimore to aid in the removal of the wreckage of a collapsed highway bridge. This incident has halted the search for four missing workers and blocked the city’s vital port from operating. Governor Wes Moore stated that the crane, which can lift up to 1,000 tons, will be one of at least two used to clear the channel and the cargo ship that hit the bridge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Navy are mobilizing resources from around the country at record speed to assist in the removal efforts.
The devastation left behind after the cargo ship struck a support pillar early Tuesday is extensive. Divers recovered the bodies of two men from a pickup truck in the Patapsco River near the bridge’s middle span. However, the twisted metal and concrete remains of the bridge need to be cleared before rescuers can reach the bodies of the four missing workers. Federal and state officials have stated that the collision and collapse appeared to be an accident. The victims were part of a construction crew fixing potholes on the bridge and were from different countries in Central America.
The cargo ship, owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and chartered by Maersk, was en route from Baltimore to Sri Lanka. Synergy Marine Group, which manages the ship, extended sympathies to the victims’ families and pledged to cooperate with investigators. Of the 21 crew members on the ship, 20 are from India, and all are reported to be in good health. The International Longshoremen’s Association Local 333 is working to support its members whose jobs are at risk due to the port disruption. The vessel was carrying nearly 4,700 shipping containers, some of which contained hazardous materials.
The sudden loss of the Key Bridge roadway, which carried 30,000 vehicles a day, and the port disruption will have far-reaching impacts on dockworkers, commuters, and U.S. consumers. The governors of New York and New Jersey have offered to take on disrupted cargo shipments to minimize supply chain issues. The Baltimore Port handles a significant amount of cars and farm equipment and any delays in shipping could lead to consumer impacts. Efforts are being made to contain any environmental threats from the wreckage and spilled oil, and safety measures are in place for first responders on the scene.
The Baltimore Orioles honored three transportation authority officers who helped prevent further loss of life by stopping traffic on the bridge during the collapse. The recovery and rebuilding efforts are expected to be lengthy, and Governor Wes Moore expressed gratitude for the Biden administration’s approval of $60 million in immediate aid. President Joe Biden has committed to covering the full cost of rebuilding the bridge. The Army Corps of Engineers and Navy contractors are working on the salvage operation, emphasizing the importance of clearing the channel for the port’s operations and the nation’s economy. The incident highlights the risks associated with ship collisions with bridges and the need for enhanced safety measures in maritime transportation.
