The containership vessel that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday morning is time-chartered by container shipping major Maersk, the company confirmed in a statement to WorldCargo News.

“We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected,” the statement reads.

“We can confirm that the container vessel Dali, operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group, is time chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk customers’ cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were onboard the vessel.”

Maersk said it was closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and that it would keep its customers informed.

Earlier today, the Dali, a 9,962 TEU containership operating on a 2M alliance service between Baltimore and the Far East, collided with the support beam of the bridge, resulting in its collapse into the water.

Following the incident, the bridge has been shut down at both ends with traffic being redirected.

The vessel, under ownership of Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and managed by Synergy Marine Group, was en route from Baltimore to Colombo.

Synergy Marine said that the owners and managers of the Singapore-flagged container ship collided with the bridge whilst under pilotage with two pilots onboard, at approximately 01 30 local time on 26th March. The ship had 22 crew members on board when the collision occurred.

“All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries. There has also been no pollution,” the company said in a statement.

“Whilst the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined, the Dali has now mobilised its Qualified Individual Incident response service. The US Coast Guard and local officials have been notified, and the owners and managers are fully cooperating with Federal and State government agencies under an approved plan.”

Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice, the port said.

“This does not mean that the Port of Baltimore is shut down. We are still processing trucks inside of our terminals,” the port authority pointed out.

WorldCargo News has reached out to the Maryland Port Authority for an update on the impact of the accident on port operations, and is yet to receive a reply.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency in Maryland.

“We are still investigating what happened, but we are quickly gathering data. The preliminary investigation points to an accident. We haven’t seen credible evidence of a terrorist attack,” Moore said during a press conference earlier today.

“We are working closely with the leaders of all levels of government and society to respond to this crisis, and not just by addressing the immediate aftermath, but also by building a state that is more resilient and more safe.”

“We pray for the construction workers that were on the bridge and everyone who was touched by this tragedy,” Moore added.

Rescue efforts remain underway for the occupants of the vehicles that fell into the water at the time of the accident. Reuters reported that two survivors were pulled out of the river since, one in a ‘very serious condition’.

The cause of the collision is still being investigated, however, initial reports indicate that the ship lost propulsion while leaving port.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said that Singapore as the flag would provide full cooperation to the US Coast Guard in its investigations. MPA will also be investigating the incident.

“MPA is in contact with the US Coast Guard and the ship management company to provide the necessary assistance,” MPA said.

“As the flag state, MPA will provide full cooperation to the US Coast Guard in its investigations. MPA will also be investigating the incident.”