Port of Baltimore opens third temporary channel amid bridge collapse

The Port of Baltimore has introduced a third temporary channel to facilitate more vessel movement, enhancing shipping accessibility while sections of the Francis Scott Key Bridge are being restored.

PHOTO: Port of Baltimore, US with container cranes on the docks. Getty Images

Port officials revealed that access to this additional channel, situated on the northeast side of the damaged bridge, will be limited to "commercially essential vessels".

This new temporary route boasts a controlling depth of 20 feet, a horizontal clearance of 300 feet, and a vertical clearance of 135 feet. This channel expansion will enable a wider range of vessels to reach the port, mitigating disruptions caused by the ongoing bridge repair efforts, captain of the port and federal on-scene coordinator David O’Connell said.

With this temporary channel operational, approximately 15% of the port’s pre-collapse commercial activities are set to resume, according to O’Connell. The first temporary channel started operations on 1 April, following the bridge’s collapse on 26 March after a collision with the cargo ship Dali.

Bunker operations are expected to stay muted until the channel is fully reopened, a trader says.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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