In the last hour, efforts to refloat the Dali container ship that hit the Francis Guttke Bridge in Baltimore got underway. Recovery teams are hoping to use peak high tide to refloat the ship and bring it back to port. The Dali has been blocking the Port of Baltimore, impacting the flow of goods ranging from spices to cars and directly affecting fifteen thousand jobs.
The refloating process began overnight at 2 a.m. with crews working to bilge off water from the ship. Tugboats have been running up and down the channel to ensure a clear path for the ship's movement. High tide occurred at 5:24 a.m., and crews are taking advantage of this to maneuver the Dali into the secret terminal at the Port of Baltimore.
Governor Wes Moore expressed pride in the progress, stating that by the end of May, the federal channel will be reopened, and the Dali will be removed within days. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the four power failures on board the Dali, with a focus on why backup circuit breakers that had not been used for months were activated.
The impact of the Dali incident will be felt locally in Baltimore and globally, with the bridge not expected to be fully rebuilt until 2028. This marks the first significant step in a lengthy process towards recovery and restoration of normal operations at the Port of Baltimore.
As the efforts to refloat the Dali continue, the authorities are working diligently to ensure the safe and efficient removal of the vessel, allowing for the resumption of vital trade activities through the port. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.