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Global Category Intelligence

Q2 2025

ALERT: Impact of Baltimore Bridge Collapse (UPDATE)

This is an update to our previous Alert on the topic, published on March 27, 2024.

At 1:28 a.m. EDT on March 26, 2024 (05:28 UTC), a container vessel collided with a support pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the collapse of the steel arch-shaped continuous truss bridge. This bridge, the second longest in the United States and third longest globally, had stood for nearly 50 years, spanning a crucial shipping route connecting the Port of Baltimore to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Port of Baltimore, a pivotal hub handling over 444,000 passengers and 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo valued at $80 billion last year, faced significant disruption due to the collapse. As the second-largest U.S. port for coal and a leader in automobile and light truck shipments for 13 consecutive years, it experienced a blockade hindering most shipping activities. Maryland Governor Wes Moore labeled the incident a "global crisis," impacting more than 8,000 jobs and estimating a daily economic loss of $15 million due to the closure.

The vessel involved, MV Dali, a 2015-built Neopanamax flagged in Singapore and chartered to Maersk, measured 299.92 meters (984 feet) in length overall. Manned predominantly by Indian crew members en route from Panama to New York, the ship encountered a "complete blackout," causing it to drift out of the shipping channel despite the presence of two local harbor pilots on board. While a backup generator sustained electrical systems, it failed to power the propulsion system. Among Dali's 4,700 shipping containers, 13 sustained damage in the collision, with two falling into the water and none containing hazardous materials. The vessel suffered hull damage above the waterline and became entangled with remnants of the bridge superstructure, estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 tons.

Engineers have outlined a tentative plan to restore maritime access to the Port of Baltimore. Within the next four weeks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) aims to establish a restricted access channel 280 feet wide and 35 feet deep, facilitating one-way traffic for barge container services and select roll-on/roll-off vessels transporting automobiles and farm equipment. By the end of April, this channel is expected to be operational. Subsequently, USACE engineers target the full reopening of the permanent federal navigation channel, 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep, by the end of May, restoring port operations to normal capacity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Bridge Collapse: The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a significant infrastructure connecting the Port of Baltimore to key shipping routes, collapsed after a container vessel struck one of its supporting piers.
Economic Impact: The incident disrupted shipping activities at the Port of Baltimore, causing a substantial economic impact estimated at $15 million per day and affecting over 8,000 jobs.
Vessel Details: The container ship involved, MV Dali, suffered a "complete blackout," drifting out of the shipping channel despite having two local harbor pilots onboard. The ship, operated primarily by Indian crew members, sustained damage and became entangled with remnants of the bridge superstructure.
Port Disruption: The collapse blocked most shipping to and from the Port of Baltimore, a crucial hub for handling passengers, foreign cargo, coal, automobiles, and light trucks.
Restoration Plan: Engineers outlined a plan to restore navigational access. They aim to establish a limited access channel within four weeks to facilitate one-way traffic for specific vessels. The full reopening of the permanent federal navigation channel is targeted for the end of May to restore port operations to normal capacity.