The Port of Baltimore has confirmed the Fort McHenry Channel has reopened to commercial vessels. The channel has been restored to its 50-foot depth and 700-foot horizontal clearance.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge on the Patapsco River in Baltimore was the scene of a maritime accident after a vessel, Dali, rammed into the bridge. In initial reports, the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) suspected a possible electric fault on board the Dali.
Port of Baltimore services US trade needs
As one of the oldest ports in the United States, it has a long history of serving the nation’s trade needs and has evolved over time to adapt to changing shipping technologies and trade patterns.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that the Port of Baltimore is among the top 20 ports in the United States regarding tonnage and the number of containers handled. The report adds that it is the 10th largest port for dry bulk and a major hub for importing and exporting motorized vehicles.
The port has specialized facilities for handling various cargo types, including automobiles, RORO cargo, containers, and bulk commodities. It’s particularly renowned for its handling of cars and RORO cargo.
Shipping container port ranking
The Port of Baltimore ranked 189th in the Container Port Performance Index 2023 (CPPI).
What is the CPPI?
The CPPI is a comprehensive ranking system developed by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence to evaluate container port efficiency and effectiveness of container ports around the world. The index measures the performance of container ports based on various metrics. The top ranked US port in the latest CPPI is the Port of Charleston in South Carolina.
Strategic importance of the Port of Charleston
Charleston Harbor has been deepened to 52 feet, making it the deepest harbor on the East Coast. This allows the largest ships to access the port at any time, enhancing its capability to handle substantial cargo volumes​.
The port deals with many types of imports and exports, making it important for international trade. It brings in goods like electronics, clothing, and household items, and sends out agricultural products, machinery, and vehicles.
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Photo Credit: Port of Baltimore (Facebook)
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
