| Country | United States |
| Port/s | Baltimore |
| Impact | Complete Closure |
On Tuesday, 26 March, around 1:30 AM, the container vessel DALI (9697428) collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD, causing the bridge to collapse.
The Maryland Port Administration has advised: Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice.
A safety zone spanning a 2000-yard radius around the bridge in the Chesapeake Bay has been established to ensure the safety of personnel, vessels, and the marine environment.
No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. The COTP is currently issuing a Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) via VHF-FM marine channel 16. Mariners are requested to monitor the VHF channel 16 for the latest information.
Ship traffic to/from terminals southeast/prior to Francis Scott Key Bridge location, outside of the 2000-yard radius, is open. At this time, one tug is accessible.
The Unified Command commenced bridge wreckage removal on Saturday, March 30th, to remove debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
The Captain of the Port (COTP) has established a temporary alternate channel near Sollers Point for commercially essential vessels on the northeast side of the main ship channel in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This temporary channel has a controlling depth of 11 feet, a 264-foot horizontal clearance, and vertical clearance of 95 feet.
The Captain of the Port (COTP) has established a second temporary alternate channel near Hawkins Point for commercially essential vessels on the southwest side of the main ship channel in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This temporary channel has a controlling depth of 14 feet, a 280-foot horizontal clearance, and a vertical clearance of 124 feet.
These temporary channels are marked with government lighted aids to navigation and will be limited to transit at the discretion of the COTP and during daylight hours only. To obtain permission to enter the safety zone and transit through the temporary alternate channel, you must, as early as possible but no less than 4 hours prior to getting underway, contact the Marine Transportation System Recovery Branch at (505) 203-8141. Movements are subject to response and recovery efforts.
Sector Maryland NCR: Port Condition: Closed
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact our team:
Email: iss.baltimore@iss-shipping.com
Phone: +1 410 631 5665