The deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse blocked off much of Baltimore's harbor, which handles more cars and trucks than any other U.S. port. Companies have some options to keep imports coming.Cars exit from the Baltimore Port after the cargo ship Dali ran into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Md., on Tuesday. Two people were pulled alive from the water, two bodies were recovered and four people were presumed dead.
Tradepoint Atlantic says its operation is"well equipped to handle additional levels of cargo. Plans to accept redirected cargo are underway, including the ability to handle the increased capacity."Second, automakers could unload vehicles from a ship at a different port altogether and then drive them to their Baltimore facilities for those crucial processing steps, like inspections and part installations.
"Our thoughts are with all of those impacted by this collapse," Bethann Rooney, port director, said in a statement, adding that the port"is proactively working with our industry partners to respond as needed and ensure supply chain continuity along the East Coast." For instance, Brunswick in Georgia is the second busiest port for vehicles after Baltimore — and Mercedes and Subaru, which import many vehicles through Baltimore, also have large processing operations there.