This Tuesday, March 26, the world woke up to the spectacular images of the collapse of the Baltimore highway bridge, nestled on the east coast of the United States. The structure which bears the name of Francis-Scott-Key, the author of the words of the American national anthem, was hit last night by a recent container ship flying the Singapore flag, before breaking up in the Patapsco River. The fault lies in “inadequate” protection of the pillars, according to Toby Mottram, professor of structural engineering at the University of Warwick.
If the causes of this incident still remain unclear, its consequences already seem apparent. The impact on the local economy could be significant. And for good reason, the collapse of the 2.6 km bridge which connects the city of Baltimore to the community of Dundalk marks the shutdown of one of the busiest ports in the United States: the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. Ninth in the United States in terms of foreign goods handled and value of foreign goods.
52 million tonnes of goods
Every year, gigantic container ships pass through the Maryland port city. In 2023, for example, 1.1 million containers – in maritime transport jargon, TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units, the sector’s reference unit) – will pass through the Port of Baltimore. More precisely, some 52 million tons of foreign goods entered the United States in the same year via this historic port, built in the 17th century. For a total value of more than 80 billion dollars.
But that’s not all. For the thirteenth consecutive year, Baltimore is the American port through which the most new cars pass. More than 800,000 in 2023, produced in the United States and abroad. It is also the main entry point for imports of sugar and gypsum – a mineral used to make plaster. And ranks second in coal exports.
15,000 jobs directly threatened
Unsurprisingly, the site is also an important provider of jobs. More than 15,000 jobs are directly dependent on the Port of Baltimore. And almost 140,000, indirectly. Some 150,000 jobs could thus be threatened by the obstruction of the port.
But for now, local authorities are focusing on searching for the missing people. Around ten, according to the latest figures. Late in the morning, the governor of Maryland declared a state of emergency in order to “rapidly deploy federal resources” from the Biden administration. The American president deplored a “terrible accident” this Tuesday.