- A second temporary shipping channel has been opened around the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland.
- This channel will allow more vessels to pass as efforts continue to unblock the waterway.
On 2nd April, crews created a second temporary passage, enabling a restricted amount of maritime traffic to navigate around the damaged remains of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, reports Safety4sea.
The bridge had been obstructing the primary shipping route of the crucial port for a week following its collapse.
Port of Baltimore opens second temporary channel
On 1st April, the port of Baltimore opened a temporary channel, allowing the release of some tugs and barges previously stranded due to the bridge collapse last week. However, officials noted that broader efforts to restore commercial shipping were still hindered by persistent challenges.
Officials announced that aiming to accommodate larger vessels and facilitate increased commercial activity restoration. These channels are primarily accessible to vessels engaged in the cleanup operation, as well as some barges and tugboats that have been stranded at the Port of Baltimore.
Governor Wes Moore remarked that adverse weather conditions over the previous two days have intensified the already difficult salvage operation. The rough conditions have rendered it unsafe for divers tasked with retrieving the bodies of the four construction workers presumed to be trapped beneath the wreckage underwater.
Furthermore, the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) is deeply saddened to learn about the loss of life that resulted from the collapse of the Baltimore Bridge and our sympathies lie with the families and loved ones of those who have died, as well as those who have been impacted in other ways.
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Source: Safety4sea
