Port of Baltimore blocked from ship traffic 'until further notice' after bridge collapse

The Tuesday morning collision between a Singaporean cargo ship and the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which caused the latter to collapse, has impacted trade, with vessels unable to enter or exit the port.

Baltimore's shipping terminals, the ninth largest in the nation when it comes to foreign goods, is still able to handle trucks, however, all ship traffic has been halted for the foreseeable future.

"Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice," the port wrote in a post on X. "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," the post continued. "As soon as that is determined we will provide an update. Until then, please keep those involved in your prayers."

As the Daily Mail reports, the port handled 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo in 2023 alone with an estimated value of $80.8 billion. Over 750,000 vehicle shipments passed through the terminal, the most of any port in the US for the thirteenth year in a row.

A total of ten cargo ships are stuck in the harbor, while an additional 30 or so are unable to enter the port.

The Dali collided with the bridge shortly before 2 am Tuesday morning after suffering what is believed to have been a power failure. The span collapsed into the Patapsco River, bringing with it an estimated 20 people into the water.

A rescue operation has been launched to search for survivors.