5 April 2024 (Lloyd's List) - LIMITED vessel traffic is expected to be restored to the port of Baltimore by the end of the month, the US Army Corps of Engineers said on Thursday.

The USACE is planning to open a 10.66 metre (35 feet) deep and 85.34m wide channel in the next four weeks and is aiming for a full reopening of the permanent channel by the end of May, according to a statement.

The temporary channel will allow for one-way traffic of some ro-ro vessels and “barge container service” to the port, the USACE said.

However, the plans could be impacted by adverse weather or “changes in the complexity of the wreckage,” commanding general Lt Gen Scott A Spellmon cautioned, noting the timelines were “ambitious”.

“We are working quickly and safely to clear the channel and restore full service at this port that is so vital to the nation. At the same time, we continue to keep faith with the families of the missing and are working with our partners to help locate and recover their loved ones,” he said.

The US Coast Guard-led Unified Command was able to establish two small channels about 3.5m and 4.2m deep in recent days, allowing for some small vessels to access the port.

Commercial vessel traffic to most of Baltimore’s terminals ceased in the wake of horrific incident on March 26 when the 9,900 teu boxship Dali (IMO: 9697428) crashed into Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Two construction workers who were on the bridge at the time of the allision have been confirmed dead, with a further four still missing presumed dead. Another two have been injured.

The Tradepoint Atlantic terminal south of the collapsed bridge has kept working since the Dali disaster. On Tuesday, it said on X that it expects nine vessels redirected from other Baltimore terminals to call over the next 15 days.

Tradepoint Atlantic is a dedicated terminal for Volkswagen Group-operated car carriers but receives occasional calls from other operators carrying VW vehicles.