Nearly three weeks have passed since a container ship lost power and collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Port of Baltimore, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River on March 26. There is extensive work ahead before operations return to normal.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, is actively engaged in clearing the steel and concrete debris from the water.
According to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s office, crews have established two temporary alternate channels, facilitating the passage of 69 vessels through these waterways. However, the majority of the harbor remains inaccessible.
U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Bill McKinstry informed ABC News that divers are contending with murky waters, complicating the salvage operation.
Engineers have set a goal of opening a third limited-access channel for additional vessels by the end of April, with hopes of restoring port capacity to normal levels by the end of May.
Since the collapse of the Key Bridge, nearly 8,000 jobs have been suspended, leaving workers unpaid until cargo ship operations resume.
Scott Cowan, president of the International Longshoremen’s Association at the Port of Baltimore, disclosed to WTOP News that only around 300 workers are engaged in daily maintenance jobs, leaving many others concerned.
In an effort to alleviate the financial strain, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, D, recently signed the Port Act into law. The legislation aims to provide financial assistance to impacted port workers and offers incentives to local businesses to prevent relocation to other ports. However, Cowan noted that the benefits of this legislation have yet to be realized.