Francis Scott Key bridge collapse: Shipping customers could see costly impact, delays
Customers from the East Coast to the Midwest who were expecting goods shipped in via the Port of Baltimore could see significant cost increases as a result of Tuesday's collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Customers from the East Coast to the Midwest who were expecting goods shipped in via the Port of Baltimore could see significant cost increases as a result of Tuesday's collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
In a statement released after the bridge collapsed early Tuesday, the American Trucking Association estimated that 4,900 trucks per day carrying an annual average of $28 billion worth of goods would have to be rerouted — at a cost to shippers and ultimately consumers.
“The Key Bridge and Port of Baltimore are critical components of our nation’s infrastructure and supply chain," the association said. "Aside from the obvious tragedy, this incident will have significant and long-lasting impacts on the region."
It said the greatest impact is likely to be on shipments of hazardous materials, like diesel fuel, which are not allowed to be taken through tunnels.
The closure, the association said, will "add significant cost in time, fuel and delays for trucks traveling through the region, on top of the disruption that a closure of the Port of Baltimore will inflict on our economy."
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