BALTIMORE (AFP) – Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, named after the poet who penned the lyrics to the United States (US) national anthem, used to carry around 34,000 vehicles a day across one of the busiest harbours in the US.
Its nighttime collapse, within seconds of being struck by a container ship, is likely to cause major economic damage for as long as it continues to block shipping in the Port of Baltimore.
The bridge’s dramatic destruction shut the port for maritime traffic, which last year accounted for more than 52 million tonnes of foreign cargo, worth some USD80 billion, according to a recent statement from Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s office.
Baltimore is the deepest harbour in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, and handles the highest volume of autos and light trucks in the US, as well as the largest quantities of imported sugar and gypsum.
The Port of Baltimore is the ninth-busiest major US port in terms of both foreign cargo handled and foreign cargo value, and is directly responsible for more than 15,000 jobs while supporting almost 140,000 more.
“We’re going to do everything we can to protect those jobs and help those workers,” President Joe Biden told reporters in a brief address from the White House. “I’m directing my team to move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible,” he said, adding: “This is gonna take some time.”
“The people of Baltimore can count on us to stick with them at every step of the way till the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt,” he said.
The Port of Baltimore generates around USD3.3 billion in total personal income each year, according to the Maryland State Archives and brings in almost USD400 million in annual tax revenues.
More than 50 ocean carriers use the port every year, making a total of almost 1,800 trips annually.
