The latest update from the
Unified Command, which is in charge of the incident response, about a temporary
alternate channel to access the Port of
Baltimore:
“This will mark an important first step along the road to reopening the
port of Baltimore,” said Capt. David O’Connell, Federal On-Scene Coordinator,
Key Bridge Response 2024. “By opening
this alternate route, we will support the flow of marine traffic into
Baltimore.”
This action is part of a phased approach to opening the main channel.
The temporary channel will be marked with government lighted aids to navigation
and will have a controlling depth of 11 feet, a 264-foot horizontal clearance,
and vertical clearance 96 feet.
The current 2,000-yard safety zone around the Francis Scott Key Bridge
remains in effect and is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment.
The recent collision
involving the containership Dali and the bridge has significant challenges
to supply chain logistics.