Salvage crews have begun removing containers from the ship that collapsed Baltimore’s Key bridge

The MV Dali, a 656-foot container ship, collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital infrastructure for maritime transportation in Baltimore, Maryland, on the night of July 2, 2021. The impact was severe enough to cause the bridge's span to collapse into the Patapsco River. The incident disrupted shipping traffic on one of the nation's busiest waterways, the Chesapeake Bay, which serves as a major gateway for goods transported between the Mid-Atlantic region and the rest of the country.

Following the collision, salvage crews were dispatched to the scene to assess the damage and begin the process of removing the containers from the Dali's deck. This crucial step is necessary to allow for further repairs on the bridge and enable the ship to be moved once the area is clear.

As of Sunday, July 11, 2021, progress had been made in the container removal process. Officials reported that the operation would continue throughout the week as weather conditions permit. The removal process involves carefully extracting each container using cranes and other heavy machinery to ensure minimal damage to both the containers and the surrounding environment.

In addition to container removal, salvage teams are also working on dismantling sections of the bridge that lie across the Dali's bow. This will eventually allow the vessel to be moved away from the damaged bridge structure. The timeline for this process is not yet clear, but officials are optimistic that the full reopening of the shipping lane can be achieved as soon as possible.

The cause of the collision between the Dali and the Francis Scott Key Bridge remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Preliminary reports suggest that human error may have played a role in the incident. The shipping industry and local authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The incident has highlighted the importance of maintaining the safety and integrity of critical infrastructure like the Francis Scott Key Bridge, as well as the need for continuous communication and collaboration between maritime stakeholders to ensure safe and efficient transportation operations.