Baltimore Continues Bridge Recovery With Opening of New Channel
The Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel provides a way for commercial ships that have been stranded to finally exit
Baltimore's port system is slowly on the road to recovery. In a milestone event Thursday, the first commercial vessels moved through the Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel. The 35-foot deep temporary channel provides a way for ships that have been stranded in the Port of Baltimore after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse to finally exit.
Balsa 94, a general cargo ship operated by Eastern Capital Marine, was the first ship to pass through, followed by Wallenius Wilhelmsen's car carrier, Carmen. Saimaagracht, which moved through next, became the first vessel to successfully move through the temporary channel from the Port of Baltimore’s public terminals.
Big day in Baltimore!
The Saimaagracht was the first vessel to successfully move through the temporary 35-foot deep channel from the Port of Baltimore’s public terminals. Great work @USCG sector Baltimore and @USACEBaltimore. pic.twitter.com/KwGBuKwFCR— Port of Baltimore (@portofbalt) April 25, 2024
Fort McHenry is the fourth alternative channel to open near the collapsed bridge. It runs the length of the northeast side of the federal channel, providing additional access to commercial traffic. The first vessel moved through a temporary channel along the Patapsco River earlier this month.
The Port of Baltimore anticipates the channel to be closed from April 29 to May 10 as workers remove the wreckage from the MS Dail, the ship that caused the collapse. In the meantime, Coast Guard officials instructed the use of the three other temporary channels until Fort McHenry is reopened.
“We’re working to strike a balance between enabling temporary access to support commercial activity and undertaking necessary measures to fully reopen the Fort McHenry Channel,” said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. David O’Connell. “This limited access deep draft channel will provide a window for five of the deep draft vessels currently unable to depart the port as well as some smaller deep draft vessels to transit. Meanwhile, the Unified Command personnel continue to work full speed ahead to safely and efficiently finish operations.”
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