CSX Launches Solution Amid Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, CSX, a leading transportation company, has stepped up to address the disruptions in the supply chain by launching a dedicated service solution between Baltimore and New York.

The collision has severely impacted freight traffic in the region, particularly through the Port of Baltimore. This is an economic hub, contributing significantly to Maryland and the United States economies, generating over US$3.3 billion in total personal income and supporting over 15,000 direct jobs, alongside more than 139,000 connected jobs in 2023. The port remains a source of employment and financial activity, as previously reported by MBN.

During a press conference held on March 27, 2024, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy mentioned that the vessel, DALI, had at least 56 containers, meaning 764t, of hazardous materials on board, as well, mostly corrosive, flammables, miscellaneous materials including lithium ion batteries and perfumes. The NTSB states that no pollution has been reported at this time. However, the estimated damage to the vessel and the bridge exceed US$500,000.

At the same time, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has underscored the implications of the incident for energy-related trade, considering the Port of Baltimore is the second-largest exporting hub for coal in the United States, accounting for 28% of total coal exports in 2023. EIA explains that exports from Baltimore surged to 28 million short tons in 2023, due to growing demand in Asia. Slower growth was expected in total US coal exports in 2024, of just 1%. EIA affirms that the interruption in operations in Baltimore may affect the volume of exports this year.

The new service solution, scheduled for implementation early next week, will facilitate the transportation of freight between New York and Baltimore, utilizing CSX's established international sales network. Leveraging strategic partnerships with steamship lines, CSX aims to ensure continuity for affected shipments and manage traffic flow that would typically transit through the Port of Baltimore.

"While the timeline for resuming freight operations at the Port of Baltimore remains uncertain, we are committed to providing timely updates to our customers and meeting their transportation needs during this challenging period," assured CSX.

In addition to CSX's efforts, the recovery process also involves other measures, as two temporary channels have been established to facilitate vessel navigation through waterways for the recovery process, one of 11ft and the other one of 14ft. Tradepoint Atlantic (TPA), a 1335ha global logistics center, has also maintained its marine terminal fully operational with six regularly scheduled roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro) vessels and an additional nine redirected vessels, which will process approximately 10,000 automobiles.