After being closed for over two months due to a cargo ship colliding with a major bridge in March, the Baltimore shipping lane has finally reopened, authorities announced.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with Navy salvage divers, successfully restored the channel to its original dimensions by removing approximately 50,000 tons of debris from the Patapsco River, as stated by the Key Bridge Response Unified Command.
The riverbed was declared safe for transit on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the recovery efforts.
Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, commanding general of the Army Corps of Engineers, expressed pride in the unified efforts that led to the full reopening of the Federal Channel to port operations.
He emphasized the importance of enduring partnerships in achieving this pivotal mission’s success.
The unfortunate incident occurred on March 26 when the Singapore-flagged M/V Dali lost power and collided with a support column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
This collision resulted in the bridge’s collapse, claiming the lives of six road workers who were filling potholes overnight. At the time of the accident, the 106,000-ton ship was en route to Sri Lanka.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in conjunction with the FBI, is conducting an investigation into the incident.
According to their findings, the ship experienced two electricity blackouts just moments before the disaster.
Last month, the Dali was refloated and towed back into port, marking a significant step forward in the recovery process.
The port of Baltimore, known as one of America’s busiest ports and a vital hub for the auto industry, handled nearly 850,000 autos and light trucks last year, surpassing any other US port, according to state figures.
The reopening of the shipping channel will facilitate two-way traffic, easing the flow of maritime commerce and restoring normal operations.
This development underscores the resilience and collaborative efforts of authorities and stakeholders in restoring essential infrastructure and maritime operations.
It also highlights the importance of safety measures and thorough investigations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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