First Cargo Ship Sails Through New Deep-Water Channel in Baltimore After Bridge Collapse

Source: Steven Collingwood - ShipSpotting.com 

On Thursday morning, the bulk carrier Balsa 94, sailing under a Panama flag, became the first vessel to traverse a newly created 35-foot deep-water channel in Baltimore. This marked a significant milestone for the Port of Baltimore, which has grappled with restricted maritime traffic since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Balsa 94 tracked via ShipXplorer.com

The Balsa 94 departed the port and is en route to St. John, Canada, where it is expected to arrive on Monday. The Associated Press reported that the vessel’s departure was critical in restoring limited port operations.

Tragedy and Recovery Efforts

The channel’s opening comes almost four weeks after the 984-foot cargo ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the structure to collapse into the Patapsco River. The catastrophic incident halted maritime traffic and sparked an intensive cleanup and recovery operation.

Moments before the crash, the Dali issued a mayday call that allowed authorities to halt vehicular traffic on the bridge. Despite these efforts, eight construction workers on the bridge could not escape in time and were thrown into the water. Rescuers managed to save two of the workers, while the bodies of four others have been recovered. Two individuals remain missing and are presumed dead.

The New Temporary Channel

To address the disruption, the U.S. Coast Guard has been working on creating temporary channels to allow some vessels to navigate through the port. The newest 35-foot channel, opened Thursday, is the fourth temporary channel developed since the incident. Unlike the previous channels, which primarily served cleanup vessels, this channel accommodated vessels previously stranded in the port. Officials expect the channel to remain open until Monday or Tuesday next week.

The Balsa 94 is one of five ships stuck in the port. Thanks to this temporary measure, it can now proceed with its voyage.

Legal and Financial Repercussions

Earlier this week, the city of Baltimore filed court documents alleging that the Dali's owner and operator should be held accountable for the bridge collapse. The city claims the vessel was “unseaworthy” when it departed the Baltimore port. It accuses Grace Ocean Private, the ship’s owner, and Synergy Marine Group, its operator, of “grossly and potentially criminally negligent” behavior.

“For more than four decades, cargo ships made thousands of trips every year under the Key Bridge without incident,” the city’s attorneys wrote in their filing. “There was nothing about March 26, 2024, that should have changed that.”

In the aftermath of the collapse, Grace Ocean and Synergy sought to limit their liability to $43.6 million in federal court. However, Baltimore officials argue that this cap cannot be determined without a trial to examine the companies’ alleged failures.

Moving Forward

While the new temporary channel relieves maritime operations, the Port of Baltimore faces a long road to full recovery. Cleanup crews continue to work tirelessly to remove the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and investigations into Dali’s role in the incident remain ongoing.

The opening of this new channel represents a glimmer of progress amid ongoing challenges. The port strives to balance recovery efforts with the resumption of vital trade routes. For now, vessels like the Balsa 94 offer a glimpse of hope for a port seeking to rebuild its operations and reputation.