Ships remain stuck within the Port of Baltimore after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, officials say. In response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on the morning of March 26, 2024, the Washington-based Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) provided yesterday the following information:
There are 3 bulk carriers, 1 vehicles carrier, 2 general cargo ships, 1 oil/chemical tanker, and 3 logistics naval vessels plus the container ship behind the fallen bridge in the port of Baltimore, plus 1 vehicle carrier in the port but outside the bridge and 9 bulk carriers, 1 vehicles carrier, and 2 general cargo vessels at anchorage beyond the bridge as of noon on March 26.
At least two cruise ships, one of which has a capacity of more than 2,000 passengers and more than 700 crew are scheduled to return to Baltimore. Many people will need to be reunited with their motor vehicles parked at the terminal in the harbor.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge carried 12.5 million vehicles in 2023, averaging more than 34,000 vehicles a day over the year.
This is 15 percent of the total traffic for all 3 harbor crossings, and the diverted traffic would add 18 percent to the combined volumes for the Fort McHenry and Harbor Tunnels.
Trucks that carry hazardous cargo, which are not allowed in the I-95 and I-895 tunnels, will be required to take the 27.5 mile route around the northern and western sides of the Baltimore beltway rather than the 24.3 mile route around the eastern and southern sides of Baltimore across the Key Bridge.
Population exposure is increased from over 38,000 people live within 1/2 mile of the shorter route to more than 100,000 people live within 1/2 mile of the longer route.
The vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice.
“This does not mean the Port of Baltimore is closed. Trucks are being processed within our marine terminals. At this time we do not know how long vessel traffic will be suspended. As soon as that is determined we will provide an update,” notified the port administration on March 26.
The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s largest shipping hubs. It handled a record amount of cargo last year.
Over 30,000 vehicles cross the Francis Scott Key Bridge on a daily basis.
It’s also the top port in America for both imports and exports of automobiles and light trucks.
Around 850,000 vehicles go through that port every single year, and as the president Biden said to the reporters “we’re going to get it up and running again as soon as possible.”
“The FBI’s focus remains on the victims and all the families directly impacted by this tragedy. We grieve along with them, and along with all of Maryland,” said William J. DelBagno, special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office.
