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Josh Ruth uses binoculars to view the Dali cargo vessel, following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., March 28, 2024. In the background is what appears to be one of the two Algol-class fast sealift vessels. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

Josh Ruth uses binoculars to view the Dali cargo vessel, following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., March 28, 2024. In the background is what appears to be one of the two Algol-class fast sealift vessels. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

These Are the Ships Stuck Behind the Baltimore Key Bridge

Mike Schuler
Total Views: 161204
March 28, 2024

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has brought navigation into and out of the Port of Baltimore to a standstill.

Behind the collapsed bridge is located every terminal in the port with the exception of one; the Tradepoint Atlantic bulk and break bulk terminal.

The Port of Baltimore ranks among the top 20 U.S. ports in terms of tonnage and container handling, is the 10th largest for dry bulk, and serves as a significant hub for the import and export of motorized vehicles.

Until the channel is cleared of debris, there will be no vessels coming in and no vessels going out. For ships bound for the port, they will be rerouted elsewhere. Unfortunately, for ships in port at the time accident, they are stuck indefinitely.

Port of Baltimore map
U.S. Department of Transportation

According to the Department of Transportation, there are 3 bulk carriers, 2 general cargo ships, 1 vehicle carrier, 1 tanker, 4 Ready Reserve Force vessels, and the container ship Dali now trapped behind the fallen bridge. Using AIS data and the public ship databases, we have been able to locate details on each.

The three bulk carriers include:

  • The Liberian-flagged JY River, owned by JIADE INTERNATIONAL SHIP and managed by WAH KWONG SHIP MANAGEMENT HK of Hong Kong.
  • The Thailand-flagged Phatra Naree, owned by PRECIOUS STONES SHIPPING LTD and managed by PRECIOUS SHIPPING PCL of Thailand.
  • The Portuguese-flagged Klara Oldendorff, owned and managed OLDENDORFF CARRIERS GMBH & CO of Germany.

The vehicle carrier is:

  • The Swedish-flagged Carmen, owned by WALL RO/RO AB and managed by WALLENIUS MARINE AB of Sweden.

The general cargo ships include:

  • The Netherlands-flagged Saimaagracht, owned by REDERIJ SAIMAAGRACHT and managed by SPLIETHOFF’S BEVRACHTINGS BV of the Netherlands.
  • The Panama-flagged Balsa 94, owned by EASTERN CAPITAL MARINE INC and managed by HIONG GUAN NAVEGACION CO LTD of Hong Kong.

The tanker is:

  • The Marshall Islands-flagged Palanca Rio, owned by MINSHENG RUIYANG TIANJIN SHPG and managed by PUMA ENERGY SUPPLY & TRADING of Singapore.

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Ready Reserve Force vessels include:

  • The Cape Washington, a Cape W Class roll-on/roll-off vessel.
  • The Gary I. Gordon, a Gordon-class roll-on/roll-off vessel.
  • The SS Antares (T-AKR-294), a Algol-class fast sealift vehicle cargo ship.
  • The SS Denebola (T-AKR-294), another Algol-class fast sealift vehicle cargo ship.

The Ready Reserve Force (RRF) is a subset of vessels within MARAD’s National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) that provide surge sealift capability to the Department of Defense. The ships are owned, crewed, and maintained by MARAD, but come under control of Military Sealift Command once activated.

There are also countless other tugs and smaller vessels.

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