A cargo vessel collided with Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of Tuesday morning, leading to a significant collapse of the bridge and the suspension of vessel traffic to and from the Port of Baltimore.
The incident resulted in six construction workers reportedly falling from the collapsing bridge into the cold waters of the Patapsco River.
Two bodies have been recovered, while four workers are still missing and presumed dead.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has scheduled a meeting for Thursday with shippers and supply chain operators to assess the impact on the industry and develop a coordinated response.
Buttigieg emphasized the importance of the Port of Baltimore and expressed the intention to reopen it as soon as it is safe to do so.
A hazardous materials investigator identified 56 containers of dangerous substances on the cargo ship, including corrosive and flammable materials, as well as lithium-ion batteries.
Some of these containers were breached, leading to concerns about pollution in the waterway.
The vessel had 23 people on board at the time of the collision. Investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing, with a focus on ensuring accountability for those responsible.
The closure of the Port of Baltimore has significant economic implications, and efforts are being made to manage the impacts and coordinate the movement of goods to minimize disruptions to supply chains.
Various types of vessels, including bulk carriers, vehicle carriers, logistics naval vessels, general cargo ships, and an oil chemical tanker, have been affected by the port's closure.
The port will remain closed until further notice, impacting the arrival and departure of several vessels.
The Singaporean-flagged ship involved in the incident had passed inspections, and its certificates were valid at the time.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed that the vessel's structural integrity and
equipment functionality were in order.
The closure of the Port of Baltimore is expected to affect the arrival of several types of vessels, including chemical tankers, container ships, vehicle carriers, bulk carriers, and a cruise ship.
Efforts are underway to reopen the port and resume operations as quickly as possible, with close monitoring of the situation to ensure safety and environmental protection.