The exclusive maritime shipping terminal currently operational in the Port of Baltimore is preparing to manage an influx of redirected ships while crews work to clear the debris from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Tradepoint Atlantic is set to unload and process an estimated 10,000 vehicles over the next 15 days, including six regularly scheduled ships and nine redirected vessels.
This redirection became necessary following the bridge collapse, which blocked access to the port’s main terminals, causing significant logistical challenges for shipping along the East Coast.
A second temporary channel was opened through the collapse site on Tuesday, but it is too shallow for most commercial vessels.
The existing channels are primarily being used for vessels involved in the cleanup, which began last week. Efforts are underway to open a third channel that will allow larger vessels to pass through and restore more commercial activity.
Tradepoint Atlantic will also be responsible for storing and processing the steel pieces of the bridge as they are removed from the Patapsco River.
This salvage operation is considered highly challenging from both an engineering and safety standpoint.
Governor Wes Moore has noted that rough weather has made the salvage effort even more difficult, with conditions unsuitable for divers attempting to recover the bodies of the four construction workers believed to be trapped underwater.
A large floating crane, nicknamed “Chessy,” is assisting with the salvage operation.
Authorities believe that six members of a road construction crew lost their lives in the collapse, including two whose bodies were recovered last week.
Two other workers survived.
The Maryland Senate is swiftly moving to pass a bill authorizing the governor to utilize the state’s rainy day fund to assist port employees who are out of work and not covered under unemployment insurance. The Senate gave preliminary approval to the measure on Wednesday, with plans to vote on it later in the day.
The bill would also enable the governor to use state reserves to help small businesses avoid layoffs and to encourage companies that relocated to other ports to return to Baltimore when it reopens.
President Biden, who has pledged significant federal resources to the recovery effort, is expected to visit the collapse site on Friday.
The Small Business Administration has opened two centers to help companies secure loans to mitigate losses caused by the disruption.
The bridge collapsed after being struck by the cargo ship Dali, which lost power shortly after departing from Baltimore en route to Sri Lanka.
The ship remains stationary, with its crew members still on board.
Several other vessels are stranded in Baltimore’s harbor until shipping traffic can resume through the port, which is one of the largest on the East Coast.
The Dali is managed by Synergy Marine Group and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., both based in Singapore. The ship was chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk.
Synergy and Grace Ocean have filed a court petition seeking to limit their legal liability, a standard procedure for cases litigated under US maritime law.
A federal court in Maryland will ultimately determine liability and the extent of compensation.