Port Of Baltimore Paralyzed After Container Ship Strike Collapses Bridge

Here’s a live broadcast of the disaster area in Baltimore, Maryland. 

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Update (0935ET):

Bloomberg’s Brendan Murray explained how the collapsed bridge blocking the only shipping lane in and out of the Port of Baltimore is about to spark a supply chain crisis across the Mid-Atlantic: 

An economic disruption along the US East Coast is unfolding with potentially tragic human consequences after a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, sending nearly the entire roadway structure crumbling into the water.

The immediate priority of the rescuers is finding people who may have been on the bridge either working or driving across. The ship, the Singapore-registered Dali, was operated by charter company Synergy Group and is time chartered by Maersk carrying Maersk customers’ cargo.

Of secondary concern in the days ahead will be tough questions about the effect on business, commuters, holiday travelers and the economy across the region.

The Port of Baltimore — the biggest handler of US imports and exports of cars and light trucks — looks to be out of commission indefinitely. The resulting bottleneck could accelerate a shift of goods through West Coast ports. Another crucial question: Which other ports have spare capacity to handle the Ro-Ro vessels that carry automobiles if Baltimore is closed for an extended period.

And it begins:

One very big logistical complication in the Baltimore bridge collapse is that the Francis Scott Key Bridge was the main route for hazardous materials (which aren’t allowed to be transported through the tunnels) pic.twitter.com/dj2vR7OVdL

— Tracy Alloway (@tracyalloway) March 26, 2024

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Update (0814 ET):

ABC News reports the Singapore-flagged “Dali” container ship “lost propulsion” as it left the Port of Baltimore just before it rammed the Francis Scott Key Bridge. 

“The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel and a collision with the bridge was possible,” ABC quoted the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as saying, adding, “The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse.”

Bloomberg’s Josh Wingrove says, “Authorities are heavily downplaying the risk of foul play here.” 

Authorities are heavily downplaying the risk of foul play here.

“We don’t see anything that relates to that at this time. It’s an open investigation but there’s nothing that points to that, ” Wiedefeld said.

No indication as of now of “nefarious intent,” per the White House.

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) March 26, 2024

Meanwhile, some X users are saying:

Baltimore, Maryland

SITREP: The Francis Scott Key Bridge was Struck by a Cargo Ship, Collapsing the Bridge

• My opinion is This was a potential cyber attack. Notice the ship lights go off before steering into the column

• Sonar indicates that several vehicles are in the… pic.twitter.com/mII8BG5Xed

— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) March 26, 2024

Is the US under attack?

Cargo ship slams into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing bridge to collapse.

Multiple cars plunge into the water. Currently, rescue teams are on the scene. So sad. Please
Pray for these families

pic.twitter.com/EcCo6AOqiG

— Sue Knows Best (@sues86453) March 26, 2024

BREAKING: Mass Casualties. Ship collides with Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. This comes just days after the Crocus terror attack in Moscow which has been widely blamed on the West. pic.twitter.com/zgC4tO24wH

— Alex James (@actualAlexJames) March 26, 2024

Analyzed footage of the Baltimore Harbor incident.

The MSM says this was an accident, with no evidence of foul play. What say you?

Responders are still searching for at least 7 people in the Key Bridge area of Baltimore, Maryland. pic.twitter.com/LGxLMLGUPd

— Eddie (@ICU1010) March 26, 2024

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Update (0645 ET):

A massive container ship chartered by Maersk and moving outbound from the Port of Baltimore struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge around 0130 ET. The bridge collapse has paralyzed a large swath of the largest inland port on the East Coast. The port is ranked 9th for total dollar value of cargo and 13th for cargo tonnage among US ports. 

Governor Wes Moore released a statement on the collapse, declaring a State of Emergency in Maryland:

“My office is in close communication with US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, and the Baltimore Fire Department as emergency personnel are on the scene following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration. We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety. We will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local entities that are carrying out rescue efforts as we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy.” 

Chief Kevin Cartwright, the Baltimore City Fire Department’s director of communications, told Fox Baltimore that at least 20 people and several vehicles had fallen into the river. 

In markets, Maersk shares in Copenhagen are trading down more than 3% on the news. 

Shocking radio transmission: “The entire Key Bridge is in the harbor.” 

Radio traffic from the first arriving @BaltimoreFire unit.

“SOC5 to Battalion 6 and Communications, I’m at Fort Armistead, be advised the entire bridge, the entire Key Bridge is in the harbor.” pic.twitter.com/wTlPxLStRf

— Andrew Doyle (@doyle0213) March 26, 2024

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Shocking footage is coming from Baltimore City, home to one of the nation’s largest marine ports. It shows a container ship striking the 1.6-mile-long Francis Scott Key Bridge and collapsing it

#BREAKING: Mass Casualty has been Declared after a Large Container Ship Collides with Key Bridge Causing it completely Collapse⁰
#Baltimore | #Maryland

Currently, numerous agencies, including the Coast Guard and fire department have just declared a mass casualty incident as… pic.twitter.com/wvOTOVbvHE

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 26, 2024

Here’s another view of the container ship strike. 

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland which crosses the Patapsco River has reportedly Collapsed within the last few minutes after being Struck by a Large Container Ship; a Mass Casualty Incident has been Declared with over a Dozen Cars and many Individuals said to… pic.twitter.com/SsPMU8Mjph

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 26, 2024

“This effectively shuts down the Port of Baltimore completely. I’m truly speechless,” one X user said. 

Pictured: Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. This is the bridge I drive every single day. This effectively shuts down the Port of Baltimore completely. I’m truly speechless pic.twitter.com/BzqPa3axJ2

— Wade Raynor (@WadeRaynor_) March 26, 2024

Fox Baltimore’s Olivia Dance describes the scene as “devastating.” 

Photos of the collapsed Key Bridge sent to us by residents in the area.

Devastating. @FOXBaltimore pic.twitter.com/vh5MP477jI

— Olivia Dance (@OliviaDanceTV) March 26, 2024

According to the ship tracking website MarineTraffic, the Singapore-flagged cargo ship “Dali” slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge around 0130 ET. Bloomberg notes the ship was chartered by Maersk (remember Maersk’s Ever Given in the Suez Canal a few years ago?). 

#MarineTraffic playback showing #Dali, a Singapore-flagged cargo ship, colliding with Francis Scott Key Bridge in #Baltimore. En route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, it crashed at 1:30am. Follow rescue efforts on MarineTraffic and find out more about the vessel: https://t.co/5eiDnqpm2w pic.twitter.com/fykx9cWUF3

— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) March 26, 2024

The bridge spans the Patapsco River and carries an estimated 11.5 million vehicles annually. In this collapse, the only shipping lane in and out of the port was severed. 

Baltimore is the most inland port on the East Coast and is connected to the I-95 highway network. With no commercial vessels sailing in and out of port anytime soon, this is catastrophic for port operations and could spark supply chain snarls in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. We suspect inbound vessels are rerouting sails this morning. 

The bridge collapse has severed these major marine terminals. It’s unknown when operations will be restored. 

According to the Maryland government’s website, the Port of Baltimore handled over 52 million tons of international cargo valued at more than $80 billion last year, ranking it as the ninth busiest port in the United States. The data shows that the port handled 847,158 autos and light trucks in 2023, the most of any US port. The port also handles farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum, and coal. 

The port supports 15,330 direct jobs and 139,180 jobs in Maryland, according to the Maryland government’s website.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s office posted on X:

“I’m aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge. I have been in contact with Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace, Gov. Wes Moore (and the county executives of Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties). Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway.”

*Developing…