Maersk to omit Baltimore calls due to the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge resulting debris in passage
COPENHAGEN : Maersk Line‘s five services that call at Baltimore port will be affected by the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The bridge collapsed after the Maersk-operated 10,000 TEU MV Dali hit one of its pillars after coming out of Baltimore Port’s Seagirt terminal.
Maersk said its TA2 and TA5 Transatlantic services, TP12 Transpacific service, Amex (US East Coast-South Africa service) and AGAS (US East Coast-Caribbean) service will be affected.
The Danish mainline operator stated, “Due to the damage to the bridge and resulting debris, it will not be possible to reach the Helen Delich Bentley port of Baltimore for the time being. In line with this, we are omitting Baltimore on all our services for the foreseeable future, until it is deemed safe for passage through this area.”
Containers already sailing toward Baltimore will be diverted to nearby ports for discharge. From those ports, the containers could be moved via truck or rail to their final destination.
Maersk noted in its advisory that for cargo set to discharge in Baltimore, delays may occur, as they will need to discharge in other ports. “We’re keeping a close eye on the safety situation in the area and continuing to assess the viability of transportation through the area,” added the Danish carrier.
Meanwhile, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore) said, “Just prior to the incident, the vessel had experienced momentary loss of propulsion. As a result, it was unable to maintain the desired heading and collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge.”
Synergy Marine, the managing company of the vessel, told the authority that MV Dali had dropped its anchor as part of the vessel’s emergency procedures before hitting the bridge.
MPA stated, “The vessel is currently holding onto its position at the site of the collision and is in a stable condition. All 22 crew members are safe and accounted for.”
MPA added it will assist the US Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board’s Office of Marine Safety in the investigation of the accident. Therefore, a team from Singapore’s Ministry of Transport’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau and MPA is now on its way to Baltimore.