Baltimore bridge collapse: Authorities to open 'temporary channel' as clean-up efforts continue

Days after the Baltimore bridge collapse, authorities on Sunday (Mar 31) night announced that a temporary channel would be opened to allow some commercial vessels to resume operations in and out of the port. This comes as clean-up efforts continue following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Effort towards opening the main channel

Unified Command, a coalition of federal and state agencies overseeing the response to the bridge collapse, in a statement said that the Captain of the Port (COTP) was "preparing to establish a temporary alternate channel on the northeast side of the main channel in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge for commercially essential vessels."

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"This will mark an important first step along the road to reopening the port of Baltimore," said Captain David O'Connell, Federal On-Scene Coordinator, Key Bridge Response 2024.

"By opening this alternate route, we will support the flow of marine traffic into Baltimore," he said.

The temporary route will be marked with navigational aids and have "a controlling depth of 11 feet (3.35 metres), a 264 foot (80.4metres)horizontal clearance, and vertical clearance 96 feet (29.26 metres)," added the statement.

However, the statement did not specify which vessels will be permitted to use the alternate channel or provide a timeline for its opening.

Aside from the upcoming temporary channel, an existing safety zone around the collapsed site remains in effect. This, as per the statement, is "intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment."

Vessels and people are required to obtain permission from the COTP or a designated representative to enter the safety zone.

As per media reports, a "remarkably complex operation" to clear the debris has begun at the incident site.

The Port of Baltimore is a vital hub for trade to the US economy. In 2023, $80.8 billion worth of foreign cargo moved through it.

How did the ship ram into the bridge?

As per Reuters citing officials, there is no evidence of foul play. The massive cargo ship was crippled by power loss when it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the mouth of the Patapsco River at about 1:30 am (0530 GMT).

Dali, the Singapore-flagged container vessel, was heading out of the harbour bound for Sri Lanka.

A timely Mayday call from the crewof the ship led officials tostop traffic on the bridge before the collapse. However,six workerswere presenton the bridge when the incident happened and were reported missing.Bodies of two of them havebeen recovered while the rest are presumed dead.

"By being able to stop cars from coming over the bridge, these people are heroes. They saved lives last night," said Maryland Governor Wes Moore at a news briefing.

Moore assured people that the bridge was up to code and there were no known structural issues.

(With inputs from agencies)