MSC, Maersk to omit Baltimore from services until further notice

2M Alliance container shipping majors MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA and Maersk announced that they would omit the Port of Baltimore from all of their services until further notice.

The move comes on the heels of the Port of Baltimore’s decision to suspend all vessel traffic into and out the port following Tuesday’s tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge.

“Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice. This does not mean that the Port of Baltimore is closed. Trucks are being processed within our marine terminals,” the port authority said on X.

“At this time we do not know how long vessel traffic will be suspended. As soon as that is determined we will provide an update.”

The bridge was struck by the container vessel Dali operating on a 2M alliance service between Baltimore and the Far East.

The containership, owned by Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and managed by Synergy Marine Group, was en route from Baltimore to Colombo. The vessel is time-time chartered by Maersk and was carrying cargo from both MSC and Maersk’s customers at the time of the accident.

“We are expecting substantial delays to cargo aboard the vessel and currently standing on the quay in Baltimore,” MSC said in an update.

“Further to the Port Authority’s closure of the port, we also have no choice but to omit Baltimore from all our services for the foreseeable future, until the passage to port is reopened and declared safe. We expect this to take several months and all MSC customer cargo will be rerouted and discharged at alternative ports in the meantime.”

MSC added it was working on a contingency plan and that it would address each cargo interest directly in the coming days while closely monitoring the situation in Baltimore.

Maersk also announced that it would not be calling at the port until further notice.

“Due to the damage to the bridge and resulting debris, it will not be possible to reach the Helen Delich Bentley port of Baltimore for the time being. In line with this, we are omitting Baltimore on all our services for the foreseeable future, until it is deemed safe for passage through this area,” Maersk said.

“For cargo already on water, we will omit the port, and will discharge cargo set for Baltimore, in nearby ports. From these ports, it will be possible to utilise landside transportation to reach final destination instead. Your local Maersk representative can assist in booking this.”

Maersk added that for cargo set to discharge in Baltimore, delays may occur, as they will need to discharge in other ports.