Baltimore bridge collapse will have minimal impact on Utah, UIPA says

Brice Wallace 

The bridge collapse near the Baltimore harbor could have major impacts on trade along the East Coast, but the effects in Utah are expected to be minimal.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge fell into the waters of the Patapsco River after being struck by the cargo ship Dali on March 16. The Utah Inland Port Authority has reviewed the situation related to Utah’s logistics and supply chain and projects the impacts in Utah to be small.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Baltimore during this challenging time,” said Ben Hart, the authority’s executive director. “While we are relieved to report that the impact on Utah will be minimal, our hearts go out to all those impacted by this event.”

While the Baltimore port processes roughly 1.1 million cargo units each year, fewer than 100 typically make their way to Utah. The state relies primarily on ports in California and their Northwest Seaport Alliance.

The bridge collapse has caused ships to be rerouted, spelling shipping delays along the East Coast. The Utah Inland Port Authority says it will continue to watch the impact on the broader global network and is hoping for a quick and efficient reopening of the Baltimore port.

“Despite the minimal impact, we remain vigilant in our monitoring of the situation and are prepared to adapt our strategies to ensure the continued safety and efficiency of our operations,” the authority said.

The Baltimore port is a major passageway for autos and farm equipment. The first part of the bridge wreckage was removed on Easter Sunday and efforts were underway last week to create a temporary alternate channel for vessels near the main channel. Authorities are uncertain when the main port channel could reopen.

Six construction workers died after falling into the river when the Dali struck the bridge. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has said that at least 8,000 dock workers have jobs that have been directly affected by the bridge collapse.