Client Advisory: Port of Baltimore Disruption – April 5

WHAT’S THE LATEST

Baltimore is still open for business but should expect 1–2-day delays for FCL deliveries via Norfolk/New York.

Yesterday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) determined a tentative timeline for the restoration for safe navigation in and out of the Port of Baltimore.

• By the end of April, a limited access channel (280 feet wide and 35 feet deep) is expected to open to support one-way traffic in and out of the port for barge container service and some roll on/roll off vessels.
• By the end of May, USACE engineers hope to reopen the permanent federal navigation channel (700 feet wide and 50 feet deep), restoring port access to normal capacity.

WHAT WE KNOW

• The entire Port of Baltimore is NOT closed; however, operations are severely reduced.
• On Tuesday, crews opened a secondary temporary channel allowing a limited number of larger, commercially essential vessels through.
• While it may take years to rebuild Key Bridge, the port will not be shut down for this long.
  • Once the wreckage is moved, it is very likely that vessels will be able to move freely in and out of the port. Again, we do not need the bridge to be completed for this to happen.
• Trucks are still able to access the port and all warehouses nearby.
• Vehicles transporting hazardous materials may experience an extra 1-hour of transit time as they are being rerouted to the western section of I-695 around tunnels.
• SEKO’s Baltimore office has approximately 60,000 square feet of space near the port that is available for cross dock and/or storage, as well as resources to recover freight at the port.

WHAT’S NEXT?

As your logistics partner, we are ready and able to pivot quickly. We will frequently communicate and advise on the situation as more details become available.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your SEKO representative, or email us at hello@sekologistics.com.