At the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse site, efforts are underway to refloat and remove the grounded Dali container ship within approximately the next 10 days, aiming to restore maritime traffic flow through Baltimore’s port.
According to various news sources, officials anticipate its removal by May 10, as per a recent announcement from the Port of Baltimore. Approximately 3,300 tons of debris have been extracted from the Patapsco River thus far. Governor Wes Moore informed that 182 containers from the Dali have been lifted—enough to access the part of the bridge on top of the ship.
Governor Moore discusses the hydraulic grabber—the largest in the country in Baltimore—that will pick up bridge pieces. Video: US Army Corps of Engineers. @wjz pic.twitter.com/zdWdrfFRaz
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) April 30, 2024
Last week, a temporary deep-draft channel was opened, allowing some stranded cargo ships to depart the port. However, the channel was subsequently closed to focus on extracting the Dali. The next major cleanup priority involves removing sections of the collapsed bridge that damaged the ship and its containers, a task deemed complex due to potential destabilization risks.
A considerable hydraulic grabber is being employed in this effort. Upon the Dali’s return to port, officials anticipate opening a 45-foot channel by May 10, accommodating larger cargo ships, with plans to fully restore the port’s 50-foot main channel by the end of May.
