After the impressive operation earlier this week that used controlled charges to remove the Francis Scott Key Bridge span from the M/V Dali containership, preparations are now underway to refloat the vessel and clear the channel.
Unified Command officials are getting ready to refloat the M/V Dali and reopen the Fort McHenry Federal Channel. A dive survey is currently being carried out to evaluate the situation before relocating the vessel to Seagirt Marine Terminal.
As explained, this inspection is crucial in the intricate process of reopening the Fort McHenry Federal Channel while ensuring minimal risk to the vessel during its refloating and relocation.
As informed, throughout the refloating procedure, Unified Command intends to persist in removing debris from the central section of the Fort McHenry Federal Channel. It has been reported that over 365 vessels have utilized the four temporary alternate channels in the Port of Baltimore following the bridge collapse.
Prior to the controlled demolition, nearly half of the 700-foot-wide Fort McHenry Federal Channel had been cleared to an operational depth of 48 feet. It is anticipated that the federal channel will regain full capability of accommodating commercial vessels in and out of the Port of Baltimore, with a minimum operational depth of 50 feet, in the coming weeks.
The Dundalk Terminal at the port welcomed its first RoRo ship since the incident, the Atlantic Container Lines’ Atlantic Sun. Subsequently, Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s Tannhouser became the first ship from the company to resume operations at the terminal following the bridge collapse.
Great to welcome @WalWil_ASA to Dundalk Terminal today, the first Wallenius Wilhelmsen ship to arrive back at the POB since the bridge incident. Thanks to the men and women of our @ILALocal333 workforce for a great job on loading and unloading. Baltimore is back! pic.twitter.com/8xxMhJTYwA
— Port of Baltimore (@portofbalt) May 16, 2024
