The Impact of the Baltimore Bridge Collapse on the Supply Chain
Built in the 1970s, the 47-year-old Baltimore Bridge is predicted to take many years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild. So, what happens in the meantime?
On Tuesday, the Port of Baltimore said that vessel traffic would be suspended in and out of the port until further notice, but trucks would still be processed in its terminals.
The ripple effect has extended to additional ports as well. Numerous vessels stranded in the harbor were initially scheduled to visit various U.S. ports for cargo handling operations before continuing overseas, an intricate logistical process upturned by the Baltimore Bridge collapse. Cargo will now have to be rerouted to other ports, figuring out on-the-go where there is enough capacity to move things. Right away, we can expect disruption to the supply of cars, coal, and other goods.
Consider the following:
- The Port of Baltimore was the 17th largest in the nation by total tons in 2021
- Baltimore is the nation’s top port for automobile shipments
- The port ranked second in the country for exporting coal last year
“It just shows how you throw a wrench in the supply chain,…
