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Major Bridge Collapse Disrupts Baltimore Port, Businesses Assess Impact Transportation Chaos in Mid-Atlantic: - The critical Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore collapsed, shutting down shipping at the key East Coast Port of Baltimore. - The port is a major hub for autos, coal, and container traffic. Coal Shipments Stalled: - Consol Energy, a leading coal exporter, faces disruptions as the Coast Guard restricts access to the port. - While safety remains the top priority, the incident threatens coal export volumes. Retailers, Truckers Scramble for Solutions: - Businesses near the port, including Amazon with its vast distribution centers, are evaluating the shutdown's impact. - Logistics experts anticipate some delays, but the well-developed network of alternate highways and ports on the East Coast should minimize the overall economic disruption. Alternate Routes Activated: - Ports like Norfolk and New York/New Jersey are expected to handle most rerouted shipments. - Trucking companies are already planning detours around Baltimore, potentially causing delays but ensuring continued cargo movement. - Rerouting trucks carrying hazardous materials presents a unique challenge. - They cannot use the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, a faster route, forcing them onto longer paths potentially exposing more communities. Uncertain Timeline for Port Reopening: - Maryland Governor Wes Moore offered no estimated reopening date for the port, leaving businesses in a holding pattern as they adapt to the altered landscape. Industries Impacted, But Resilience Expected: - The auto industry (including Volkswagen, Audi, Lamborghini, and Bentley) and heavy machinery sectors heavily rely on the Baltimore port. - Their operations haven't been halted yet, but companies are closely monitoring the situation and may face trucking delays due to rerouting. Businesses Explore Options: - Prologis, an industrial real estate leader, is exploring the possibility of shifting tenants to warehouses at other ports to minimize disruptions. Spice maker McCormick & Co. assures continued operations at its regional facilities. Trucking Industry Braces for Delays: - Freight brokers like Tucker Company Worldwide anticipate delays as trucking companies navigate reroutes around Baltimore. - The impact will likely be felt along the major I-95 East Coast corridor. Long-Term Impact Unclear: - The full extent of the economic disruption remains unknown. - While alternative routes offer some relief, the bridge collapse undoubtedly throws a wrench into the region's supply chain. #supplychain #logistics #oceanfreight #containershipping #baltimore #ports #delays #truckers #drayage #warehousing #3pls

After the recent tragedy affecting our beloved Baltimore, a lot of shippers are left wondering what to do. The JOC interviewed our VP of Strategy, Rob Burdette, for his opinion on alternative ports and what issues each bring. “Norfolk sounds appealing from the perspective of port capacity, but it doesn’t work that well for Baltimore”. If you have questions or concerns about your East Coast bound freight, please reach out and we'll be glad to provide guidance. #portofbaltimore #baltimorestrong #imports #exports #freightforwarding #globallogistics #logistics #freight #oceanfreight Full article and interview below: https://lnkd.in/eTd_zDvH

The Port of Baltimore doesn’t immediately come to mind when considering the nation’s biggest maritime cargo hubs. However, the 17th-largest port in the U.S. is a critical import point for cars and trucks, as well as sugar, spices and coffee. As a result, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning has major implications not only for the Port of Baltimore, but also shippers, trucking companies and #supplychains. The Baltimore port might have to play catch up, Institute for Supply Management® CEO Tom Derry says, as other East Coast ports gain market share. “The question for Baltimore: Is that going to be permanent?” he told Sue Doerfler. The Baltimore port could use the incident as an opportunity to become more competitive, Derry says, through such initiatives as digging deeper channels through dredging, adding marine terminals, using automation and robotics or having more effective offloading to other modes of transportation. #BaltimoreBridge #procurement #economy #WeAreISM

A few key things to consider with the re-routing and diversions due to the Baltimore port closure: * Contract-rate shippers or importers might face higher rates for their ocean freight if carriers use this as an opportunity to gain a higher base rate or even worse, they force them into the spot market. * It is good to see the carriers spreading the vessels around to the various port options - Philly, NY.NJ as well as Norfolk. Space is likely to get tight to some or all of these ports, as shippers and importers scramble to secure routings the shortest distance to them versus Baltimore. The more stringent you are needing one specific port over the others, so is the likelihood of ocean freight rates also going up. * Trucking costs are going to go up as capacity tightens due to so many trucks being on the road longer. If you can give a strong forecast of your needs, I would highly encourage shippers to lock-in a rate with some commitments on loads to gain the best rates. The longer this goes on, the higher the spot rates for trucking and drayage will rise. * Transloading should be considered now especially if you are hours and hundreds of miles away from the port. But like everything else, rates will go up and availability will get tight the longer a company waits to review and negotiate. * Whether you are a direct carrier customer or not, now would be a good time to work closer with your forwarder to negotiate and gain space and competitive rates for both the ocean and the domestic moves. #baltimoreportclosure #ports #baltimore #oceanshipping #oceanfreight #containershipping #drayage #trucking #transloading

The Baltimore bridge collapse is a catastrophe. In addition to an economic impact this has, and will cause, this terrible accident has created some major supply chain disruptions. 1. Ocean Cargo. >>This is the top U.S. port for volume of autos and light trucks, roll-on/roll-off heavy farm and construction machinery, imported sugar, and imported gypsum. >>107 vessels will not be able to call this port and will have to divert to other ports. Most likely - Norfolk, Philadelphia, New York and other East Coast ports will absorb cargo traffic from Baltimore in the short term. >>In addition - Port of Cleveland has direct vessel service to/from Europe with access to railways and major highways for inland transit. https://lnkd.in/g3qm8ie4 2. Road Transportation. >>The bridge is part of I-695 and serves as a major route that encircles the city. An estimated 5,000 trucks a day will now have to be rerouted. >>The part of I-695 that collapsed with the bridge is the only hazmat-approved bridge in the area. >>A number of major companies have distribution warehouses and other facilities at or near the port, including #Amazon, #FedEx and #BMW. #Baltimore #supplychain https://lnkd.in/giMGRfS8

In the wake of the Baltimore bridge collapse, supply chains are demonstrating resilience despite challenges such as traffic congestion and cargo diversion. Stakeholders have adjusted operations to maintain cargo flow, including extending truckers' permitted hours and rapidly restoring the affected channel. Nearby ports, like the Port of Virginia, have reported handling increased container volumes without strain, thanks to existing capacity. Railroads have increased service between Baltimore and New York, forwarders are managing obstacles, and trucking capacity has met lane pressures adequately. Although some trucks have experienced longer trip times due to congestion, overall capacity has responded effectively. While container import logistics and chassis repositioning may pose challenges, Jonathan Eisen of the American Trucking Association believes the impact is manageable. Former Federal Maritime Commissioner William Doyle expects minimal disruption to most cargo categories, with only specific areas like coal exports and pulp products at the Port of Baltimore being significantly affected. Doyle concludes that the supply chain's resilience mirrors that of Baltimore itself. #Logistics #CNILink #World #Transporting #BaltimoreBridge #Infrastructure

Port of #Baltimore #shutdown until further notice as Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after the 10,000 #container capacity vessel #Dali collided with its pillar. All 22 members of the crew reported to be #Indian. #Logistics companies brace for the closure impact as shipments get re-routed. "Dozens of diversions in the next week and hundreds in the coming months" With one of the major transportation arteries disrupted, we are looking at: -Delay in shipments -Potential supply chain disruption #COST involved: -Contractual penalties due to missed deadlines -High holding cost of cargo -Re-routing shipments through alternative routes But will it replicate a situation as bad as the #EverGiven aftermath? #CNBC Story "As Baltimore is primarily a roll-on/roll-off port, this disruption should create possible flatbed volumes out of other ports on the East Coast," said D'Andrae Larry, head of intermodal for Uber Freight. Following the collapse, said Larry, the bridge and port will likely be out of service for months forcing shipments to divert first to ports in New York and New Jersey, followed by Norfolk, Virginia. "Customers will be looking for solutions for their freight that typically goes through Maryland, the mid-Atlantic, the upper Midwest and New England," he said. "There are less intermodal options around Baltimore, but shippers can now turn to intermodal for inland moves as an alternative." "More than 52 million tons of foreign cargo, worth some $80 billion were transported out of the port last year, according to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. The 11th largest port in the nation, Baltimore served an average of 207 calls a month last year, according to the shipping journal Lloyd’s List." #FrancisScottKeyBridge #Port #collapse #logistics #supplychain #trade #shipping #containershipping #trucking #freight

With the collapse of the #FrancisScottKeyBridge, the #LogisticsValue of many #supplychains that used that #port has changed. This has triggered a logistical chess match along the East Coast as companies swiftly adapt to reroute shipments and manage supply chains. With the Port of #Baltimore shut down, meticulous planning becomes paramount to mitigate #disruptions and ensure #FreightFluidity. https://lnkd.in/gKx_CNaT

With the shipping channel clogged with debris, the people and businesses who depend on the port for their living are in limbo. The docks will soon be clear of cargo, and no more will be arriving anytime soon. Logistics and freight companies as well as retail businesses are bracing for a lengthy interruption in port operations that could exact a steep financial toll. “We believe it’s going to be six months. That’s what we’re telling our shippers,” said Rich Kane, 54, who owns trucking, warehousing and freight brokerage businesses that serve the port under the Kane Group. Even if it does not take that long, clearing the stricken vessel and ruined bridge will not be quick or easy. This temporary cargo halt could become one of the greatest blows to Baltimore’s maritime prosperity since the city emerged as a commercial gateway with the tobacco trade in the 1600s. #cre #logistics #warehousing #port https://lnkd.in/e2dCkb2g

The newly opened channel, although providing some relief, has limitations. With a depth of only 11 feet, it can accommodate only a fraction of the typical port traffic. To Read More: https://lnkd.in/dBPeSy6d #baltimore #shipping #supplychain #logistics #port #cargo #transportation #shippingsolution