Crews in Baltimore are working to refloat and remove the Dali container ship that is grounded at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The ship lost power and crashed into one of the bridge’s supporting columns, causing it to be stationary since March 26. Officials aim to have the ship removed by May 10, allowing maritime traffic to resume through the port. Six members of a roadwork crew tragically lost their lives in the disaster, with four bodies recovered and two still missing. Crews are working to identify areas where the missing bodies could be, but access has been challenging.
The cleanup efforts at the site of the bridge collapse continue, with 3,300 tons of debris already removed from the Patapsco River. The focus is on removing the Dali from the wreckage and clearing the steel bridge spans that fell onto the ship’s bow. The process is complex and challenging, as cutting the spans into shorter sections could destabilize other wreckage. Crews are utilizing specialized equipment, such as the largest hydraulic grabber in the country, to assist in the removal. Officials plan to open a 45-foot channel by May 10 to accommodate more large cargo ships, with the goal of fully restoring the port’s main channel by the end of May.
Last week, a temporary deep-draft channel was opened to allow some stranded cargo ships to leave the port. However, the channel closed temporarily to focus on extracting the Dali from the wreckage. The closure of the channel has impacted thousands of longshoremen, truckers, and small business owners whose jobs rely on the port. Local and state officials are prioritizing the full reopening of the port to alleviate the economic effects of the collapse. Various assistance programs have been established to support those affected by the closure, including unemployed workers and small business owners.
Despite the progress in the cleanup efforts, the search for the missing bodies of the roadwork crew members continues. Officials are working based on sonar images and other mapping techniques to identify potential areas where the bodies could be located. The families of the victims are eager for closure and officials are working diligently to bring them peace. With the removal of the Dali and the restoration of the port’s main channel, officials hope to resume normal maritime traffic in Baltimore and mitigate the economic impact of the collapse. The extensive cleanup process is ongoing, and crews are utilizing all available assets to complete the operation as efficiently as possible.
Governor Wes Moore emphasized during a news conference the commitment to bringing closure to the families of the victims by utilizing every available asset in the cleanup efforts. The tragedy at the Francis Scott Key Bridge site has deeply affected the community and the port’s workforce. The reopening of the port is crucial for the livelihoods of thousands of workers who rely on maritime traffic for their jobs. With a projected timeline for the removal of the Dali and the restoration of the main channel, officials are working tirelessly to ensure the resumption of normal operations in Baltimore’s port. The support and assistance programs for impacted workers and businesses reflect the commitment of officials to address the economic ripple effects of the collapse and restore stability to the community.
