Cargo Ship Passes Through New Baltimore Channel After Bridge Collapse

A vessel, right, moves past the stranded container ship Dali, through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four w

A cargo ship successfully passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the city's port recovery efforts. The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse had halted most maritime traffic through the port for four weeks, leaving several vessels stranded.

The Balsa 94, a bulk carrier sailing under a Panama flag, was the first ship to navigate the new 35-foot channel, heading for Saint John, Canada. Two more commercial ships followed suit, including a vehicle carrier bound for Panama.

The cleanup and recovery operation has been ongoing, with crews working tirelessly to clear the mangled steel and concrete debris from the harbor entrance. Five stranded vessels are expected to depart through the temporary channel, while others are scheduled to enter the port.

Cleanup crews are working to clear debris from the harbor entrance.

The Balsa 94 was the first ship to navigate the new 35-foot channel.

Five stranded vessels are expected to depart through the temporary channel.

The closure of the port has had a significant economic impact.

The Dali, a container ship, is still blocking parts of the main channel.

The Dali incident resulted in the tragic deaths of six roadwork crew members.

A memorial near the bridge pays tribute to the victims.

The new channel will remain open temporarily for cleanup operations.

The main channel is expected to reopen next month after the removal of the Dali.

Investigations by the FBI and NTSB are ongoing to determine the cause of the bridge collapse.

The closure of the port has had a significant impact on thousands of workers, prompting local and state officials to prioritize reopening the port to mitigate economic repercussions. Assistance programs have been established for affected individuals.

The Balsa 94, guided by tug boats, passed by the fallen bridge and the grounded Dali, the container ship responsible for the collapse. The Dali is still blocking parts of the main channel, which normally accommodates large cargo and cruise ships.

The Dali, which lost power and veered off course last month, resulted in the tragic deaths of six roadwork crew members. A memorial near the bridge now pays tribute to the victims, adorned with personal items and messages from loved ones.

The new channel will remain open temporarily for cleanup operations before closing until May 10. The main channel is expected to reopen next month after the removal of the Dali, allowing normal traffic flow through the port.

Despite the challenges, progress is being made as commercial ships navigate the new channel. Debris clearance efforts continue, with crews using specialized equipment to manage the wreckage.

An ongoing investigation by the FBI and the National Transportation Safety Board aims to determine the cause of the bridge collapse, while legal proceedings are underway to assign liability for the incident.