Ships trapped in Baltimore bridge collapse, finally able to leave

Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge last month, four ships previously trapped in Baltimore Harbour have successfully navigated the wreckage and are now sailing in the Atlantic, thanks to the opening of a deeper channel. Another vessel is expected to depart later today. The first to leave was the Balsa 94, a general cargo ship, followed by the Saimaagracht, also a general cargo ship, then the Carmen car carrier, and finally the Phatra Naree, a 35,882 dwt bulk carrier owned by Thailand’s Precious Shipping.

In addition to ships leaving the harbour, vessels are also arriving. American Sugar Refining reported the arrival of a shipment of raw sugar from Florida at its Baltimore refinery earlier this week. Although the new 12-meter-deep channel has opened, it will temporarily close on Monday to facilitate the removal of the Dali, the ship that collided with the bridge, resulting in the tragic deaths of six road maintenance workers and significant disruption to port operations.

Singaporean shipowner Grace Ocean and ship manager Synergy Group are facing trial in Baltimore after the city filed a case this week, alleging that their ship had departed from port in an “unseaworthy” condition.
The port’s main channel, with a depth of 15 meters, is scheduled to reopen next month after the removal of the Dali.