In the early hours of a Tuesday morning, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was struck by the Singapore-flagged container vessel Dali, leading to a chaotic scene with vehicles and individuals plummeting into the Patapsco River. The power failure that the ship experienced before the collision prompted officials to stop traffic on the bridge, which possibly prevented further casualties.
The Maryland Governor, Wes Moore, expressed gratitude for those who managed to halt vehicles from crossing the bridge, acknowledging their efforts in potentially saving lives. The intense impact of the Dali on the bridge caused a significant portion of it to collapse into the water below, plunging the area into a state of emergency with ongoing search and rescue operations. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the substantial implications of the bridge closure on supply chains, especially since the Port of Baltimore is a crucial hub for handling large volumes of cargo, including over 750,000 vehicles in 2022.
The vessel, owned by Grace Ocean and chartered by Maersk, faced a momentary loss of propulsion before hitting the bridge, according to reports from its management company, Synergy Marine. Despite the crew members being safe, the impact of the collision raised concerns about the potential disruption to the flow of goods ranging from coal to sugar along the Eastern seaboard. As investigations into the incident unfolded, President Joe Biden promised swift federal support in rebuilding the damaged bridge and ensuring the reopening of the bustling port at the earliest possible time.