Meat & Livestock News

Baltimore Port to Reopen Partially by April End

TL;DR: Baltimore Port, closed due to obstructions, to partially reopen by April end, fully by May end, pending weather and cleanup efforts of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.

BALTIMORE – Officials have announced that the Baltimore Port, currently off-limits for large commercial ships, is slated to partially reopen by the 30th of April. Full operations for all vessels are expected by the end of May. This comes after the port was shut down due to obstructions in its main channel.

Two smaller channels were temporarily made available this week for minor vessels like tugboats. These channels, however, are not deep enough for the larger cargo ships, being only 11 and 14 feet deep.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been working closely with local and federal entities to create a temporary channel. This channel, 280 feet wide and 35 feet deep, should be operational by April’s end, allowing for limited vessel movement. It will support the passage of container barges and some larger vessels, essential for transporting cars and agricultural equipment in and out of Baltimore.

The goal is to restore the main channel, which is 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep, by May’s end, according to USACE. This will return the port to its full capacity, crucial for the area’s economy.

The Port of Baltimore is a key entry point for automobiles and machinery. The reopening timeline aligns with the ASR Group’s Domino sugar refinery needs, which reported having a six to eight-week supply of raw sugar.

However, this schedule is subject to change depending on weather conditions and potential complications from the wreckages. The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge from March 26 remains a significant challenge, with efforts underway to clear the debris.

This development is a joint effort involving multiple agencies, including the US Coast Guard and Maryland State Police, coordinated by the Unified Command.