By Clare Mulderig and Waindim Tufoin
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writers
On March 26th, Maryland woke up to the devastating news of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Around 1:30 am, Dali, a cargo ship, hit one of the base supports for the Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to the devastating collapse. Eight construction workers were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. While two of them were able to be saved, six workers tragically lost their lives, the last victim being found last week, according to Governor Wes Moore.
As people woke up that morning, the feeling of shock spread throughout the state, as the bridge is one of Maryland’s major bridges. The bridge, which was finished in 1977, helped 34,000 cars drive across the Patapsco River daily in 2023, according to state documents. As people began to think about the driving effects of the bridge collapse, attention turned to the Port of Baltimore, a major part of the city, and its economy.
The Port of Baltimore is one of the most important ports in the United States. 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo was imported last year, and it is ranked in the top 10 for imports and exports (tons and dollar value) in the country. The bridge collapse cuts off the port from the outgoing waters. Maryland is now faced with a problem of increased traffic in other areas like I-95 and I-895. The port has to deal with the loss of business as it supports over 150,000 jobs.
In a press conference on March 26th, Governor Wes Moore and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott stated that the state would make sure that the people affected by the collapse would be helped and that the state would get through this tragedy because they are “Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong.” The City of Baltimore released a key bridge response plan, and the state passed the Port Act. Since then, both Moore and Scott have provided weekly updates on the bridge cleanup, the recovery of the bodies of the construction workers, and any potential port openings.
An ongoing investigation into responsibility for the collapse has been underway, as Governor Wes Moore revealed that Maryland has been in “close communication” with the FBI and the Maryland Attorney General.
“This is going to be the most expensive maritime tragedy in our nation’s history,” shared Governor Moore in a May 13th press conference.
Two relief funds have been announced for businesses and citizens. The Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge is funded through the Baltimore Community Foundation and the Port Business Wage Subsidy Program Baltimore City residents. The Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens organizations have donated 10 million dollars to the Key Bridge fund, as many other businesses, like Verizon, have contributed to.
Bobby LaPin, Captain and Co-Owner of Boat Baltimore, a private boat charter company in the Inner Harbor, that prides itself on being “Baltimore’s only locally owned exclusively private boat charter,” shared, “To be honest, I was only thinking about how I could help. Getting food for first responders and helping out in any way. I think a lot of people were thinking the same thing.”
“When it came to support from the community, there was an outpour from those near and far. We had a number of volunteers that came from Pennsylvania, Virginia, DC, and Baltimore, that helped us get the boat ready for the season,” says Captain Bobby.
According to IMPLAN, the port closure could result in an estimated $275 million loss in labor income and the state’s GDP is at risk of losing $550 million.
On the business side, the captain shared that bookings did slow after the bridge collapse. “Initially, I wasn’t even concerned with how it would impact the business. But I noticed there was a slowdown in bookings after,” said Captain Bobby.
“At first, I did notice a decrease in booking after the bridge collapse. We are very active on our social media accounts, and we were able to get the word out about us being open and ready for bookings for the summer. We have returned our normal number of bookings,” shared the captain.
While some businesses and organizations are returning to normal, some are still recovering from the tragedy.
Scott Cowan, President of the International Longshoremen’s Association 333, spoke with the Baltimore Watchdog about how Maryland has stepped in to help his association during this difficult time.
“The state government, jumped in with both feet to assist the port. They realize the importance and the economic of the port” says President Cowan
Port workers, also known as longshoremen, support the Port of Baltimore in many ways. They are responsible for handling and organizing cargo throughout the port, utilizing modern technology to ensure safety and efficiency on a day-to-day basis.
“The bridge collapse has affected the entire ILA membership in Baltimore. The members either lost pay and hours or cannot work at all.” President Cowan shared
The president also commented on how Maryland has been supporting workers; “I would like to recognize Governor Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, Senator Johnny Ray Sailling, and House Delegate Luke Clippinger for really stepping up to the plate for the Port and the ILA,” said President Cowan.
As grants and aid packages are now available for port workers, President Cowan shared that members of ILA 333 have been taking full advantage of the opportunities.
“Our members have been applying and are receiving aid from different avenues. It is truly heartwarming to see all the support.” President Cowan revealed.
While Maryland has involved itself with supporting longshoremen and prioritizing the safety and stability of job conditions, questions have been raised about when work will return to normal. “The members are deeply affected. It started with uncertainty, then moved quickly to how they were going to meet their bills. Now that we know the channel will open soon, the next question is when the work will bounce back and a timeline,” says President Cowan.
After the bridge collapse, Maryland announced the Port of Baltimore Worker Support Program, which provides relief and financial assistance to workers who have been directly impacted by the collapse.
Those affected can apply for financial assistance and receive a weekly payment of $430 if they show proof of regular employment at the port.
The Port Business Wage Subsidy Program provides up to $22,500 in grants per business. It is also providing a maximum of $7,500 for employees that have been impacted by the bridge collapse. Businesses and employees interested in the grant must be Baltimore County citizens, and only three employees per business are eligible.
As Baltimore and Maryland resume everyday life after the bridge collapse, attention is drawn to the businesses and hard-working employees in the Port of Baltimore.
A bartender for Royal Caribbean, who was on a cruise ship when the bridge collapsed, said,
“I was just shocked when I heard that the bridge collapsed because when does that ever happen, but shortly after, I looked at my co-worker and thought, what’s gonna happen now?”
What happened was that his ship went to Norfolk’s Half Moone Bay cruise terminal. Buses were waiting for passengers to take them back to Baltimore, but the bridge collapse hasn’t affected him as much as it has affected others.
“Since I work on a ship, I’m not in the city often, and we can just dock at other places, so it doesn’t really matter that the port is closed for me. I do feel for the people that it has affected, though.”
Everyone can have an opinion about the response from the government and even from a ship.
“The government has responded as well as they can, I think. They’re cleaning up the bridge and talking about a new bridge, which is really important. Then, for businesses and people, there are funds you can get if you’re affected. What else can you really ask for.”
The Port is still on track to reopen the 50-foot Channel on time. Governor Moore also revealed that on the evening of May 13th, cutting will begin to remove the bridge from the Dali.
It is evident that Maryland has made tremendous strides in responding to a local tragedy. As of May 13th, crews carefully used “precision cutting” to free Dali from the bridge, trying to refloat the ship, remove it from the Patapsco River, and finally clean up the remaining debris.
“It is very small, linear charges that are placed into cuts that were made that allows for the pressure from cuts, to separate the metal, and cut through the steel,” Colonel Estee Pinchasin revealed in the weekly Key Bridge collapse press conference.
Governor Wes Moore also shared his weekly update on the Key Bridge. As progress has been made, the governor stressed the importance of having support from the US Congress in order to “successfully rebuild the bridge.”
“You can’t talk about reopening the port without reopening the bridge, because the bridge is a core artery to making sure you have a fully functional and economically viable Port of Baltimore.”
Governor Wes Moore also shared in the press conference that another reason why the bridge is so important, is because it is the only way that many necessities make it to the port.
“Many of the materials that go to the Port of Baltimore, like hazmat materials and our fuel trucks, are not permitted to go through the Fort McHenry Tunnel,” Governor Moore shared.
The next step? The governor discussed plans to continue to break down the bridge, as crews have been deconstructing parts of the bridge daily, along with gaining support from the US Congress and supporting workers through the Port of Baltimore Worker Support Plan.
Nonetheless, Baltimore continues to illustrate its resilience, bravery, and love for one another as the city recovers from the unimaginable, bringing “Baltimore Strong” to life.