Update on Baltimore

17 May 2024

May 16, 2024 - Update 9

With the ongoing efforts to reopen the port of Baltimore to direct services, bookings are planned to be resumed for direct loading and discharge on the upcoming voyages below.

Bookings open
AGAS service

Import to BAL - Dubai Express 421n – ETA June 1 (departing Cartagena, CO - May 19; departing Manzanillo, PA – May 20)
Export from BAL - Dubai Express 422S – ETD June 1

AMEX service

Import to BAL – Nele Maersk 417N –ETA June 11 (departing Cape Town, SA – May 23)
Export from BAL – Nele Maersk 422S – ETD June 11

Bookings for Transatlantic services and for Baltimore exports on TP12 have not yet reopened. We will reopen once we have more information on channel conditions for vessels deployed on these services. Imports to Baltimore from Asia are open for acceptance, however are subject to space availability. AGAS and AMEX are open to bookings now because those vessels can use the Fort McHenry Limited Access Channel, which is not accessible for vessels utilized currently on Transpacific or Transatlantic services.

Please note the situation in the Port of Baltimore remains fluid and booking is contingent on space availability. Our ability to call Baltimore will ultimately rely on the refloating timeline and the Captain of the Port officially opening the port and/or the fourth alternative channel that was previously closed. Vessels may be re-directed to another USEC port if the timeline prevents us from calling Baltimore.

We understand your need for clarity on your cargo, as well as future changes to our routes regarding Baltimore. We are working diligently to identify solutions and will inform you as soon as possible of changes to current and future cargo to Baltimore.

If you have any questions or need further information on your cargo, please reach out to your local Maersk representative. Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

May 2, 2024 - Update 8

As crews and authorities focus on operations to remove the DALI, the fourth temporary channel with a controlling depth of 30 feet is closed. For the time being, we continue to operate limited barge services through the temporary channel that has a controlling depth of 20 feet; we are contacting customers directly should we be able to offer a barge service.

There is currently no definitive timetable for when the fourth temporary channel will re-open or when the Port of Baltimore will fully re-open. When we can confidently re-open booking services into and out of Baltimore, we will alert you.

The Baltimore Captain of the Port (COTP) has announced the opening of a third temporary alternate channel to provide limited access for commercially essential vessels in the Port of Baltimore. This channel, with a controlling depth of 20 feet, could potentially allow Maersk and other carriers to operate limited barge services into and out of the Port of Baltimore. We will contact customers directly should we be able to offer a barge service.

As previously shared, the first two temporary alternate channels opened by the COTP are not deep enough to accommodate the larger oceangoing container vessels that Maersk and other carriers use to call upon Baltimore and other USEC ports.

Please see below for updates on how we continue to advise and serve our customers in the wake of the tragic incident in Baltimore.

Import cargo reminder

We ask that customers with import cargo currently sitting at discharge ports in Newark, Norfolk and Philadelphia to arrange to pick up your containers as soon as possible to assist with increased flows of containers.

General Average declaration by vessel owner

General Average (GA) is a long established procedure in the maritime industry and is included in our Terms and Conditions of carriage. The owners of the vessel have control of whether to invoke this procedure and have done so. We’ve advised our customers with cargo aboard the Dali to inform their cargo insurer of the GA declaration as swiftly as they can, and we will work with all relevant parties as this process proceeds.

Temporary alternate channels

The Baltimore Captain of the Port recently announced the opening of two temporary alternate channels for “commercially essential vessels” in the Port of Baltimore. These alternate channels are not deep enough to accommodate the oceangoing container vessels that Maersk and other carriers use to call upon Baltimore and other USEC ports.

As of April 10, some media reports began referencing a third alternate channel slated to open later in April that would be able to accommodate larger vessels. Details on this third channel have yet to be confirmed by the Baltimore Captain of the Port via Unified Command, the group tasked with coordinating the incident response. We will advise you of any updates related to our ability to utilize any alternate channels in the area.

Other things to note

While we remain unable to accept new bookings into or out of the Port of Baltimore, we continue to serve greater Baltimore via alternative ports such as Newark, Norfolk and Philadelphia via road and rail subject to available capacity. We continue to work with customers to determine the best solution for their Store Door service to and from Baltimore and surrounding areas.
We ask customers who intend to make their own arrangements for their Baltimore cargo to notify their Maersk representative so that we can update our systems and operational plans.
Access links to all North American terminals where you can find the latest updates and hours per terminal on Maersk.com here.
All acceptance of new Maersk SPOT ocean bookings to and from Baltimore remain suspended temporarily.

To facilitate our operations; reduce port congestion; and best serve our customers, please note:

We ask customers who intend to make their own arrangements for their Baltimore cargo to notify their Maersk representative so that we can update our systems and operational plans.
We also ask that customers with import cargo originally destined for Newark and/or Norfolk that is currently sitting in terminal to arrange to pick up your containers as soon as possible to assist with increased flows of containers.
Access links to all North American terminals where you can find the latest updates and hours per terminal on Maersk.com here.

Other notes

The Baltimore Captain of the Port has announced two temporary alternate channels for “commercially essential vessels” in the Port of Baltimore. Please note these alternate channels are not deep enough to accommodate the oceangoing container vessels that Maersk and other carriers use to call upon Baltimore and other USEC ports.
All acceptance of new Maersk SPOT ocean bookings to and from Baltimore remain suspended temporarily.
We currently cannot accept any loaded containers in Baltimore, but the terminal can accept empty returns and are releasing empties for export shipments.

While we remain unable to accept new bookings into or out of the Port of Baltimore, we continue to serve greater Baltimore via alternative ports such as Newark, Norfolk and Philadelphia via road and rail subject to available capacity. We continue to work with customers to determine the best solution for their Store Door service to and from Baltimore and surrounding areas.

As many customers look to utilize the entire Eastern seaboard port infrastructure, we are also prepared to offer services through a number of gateways from Eastern Canada down to the South Atlantic and Gulf. Ports and rail operators have been very supportive and collaborative to develop solutions to support cargo temporarily diverted to alternative ports.

Steps to take

We ask customers who intend to make their own arrangements for their Baltimore cargo to notify their Maersk representative so that we can update our systems and operational plans.
We also ask that customers with import cargo originally destined for Newark and/or Norfolk that is currently sitting in terminal to arrange to pick up your containers as soon as possible to assist with increased flows of containers.
Access links to all North American terminals where you can find the latest updates and hours per terminal on Maersk.com here.

Other notes

The Baltimore Captain of the Port announced on April 1 that there are preparations underway to establish a temporary alternate channel for “commercially essential vessels” in the Port of Baltimore. Please note the announced “controlling depth of 11 feet” of the alternate channel would not be deep enough to accommodate the oceangoing container vessels that Maersk and other carriers use to call upon Baltimore and other USEC ports.
All acceptance of new Maersk SPOT ocean bookings to and from Baltimore remain suspended temporarily.
We currently cannot accept any loaded containers in Baltimore, but the terminal can accept empty returns and are releasing empties for export shipments.

Due to the damage and resulting debris from the tragic incident in Baltimore, it is currently not possible to reach the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.

Therefore, at this time:

No new bookings into or out of the Port of Baltimore will be accepted. However, we will continue to offer options through alternate USEC ports.
However, we will continue to provide Store Door service to and from Baltimore and surrounding areas via alternate USEC ports.
All acceptance of new Maersk SPOT ocean bookings to and from Baltimore are suspended temporarily.
We currently cannot accept any loaded containers in Baltimore, but the terminal can accept empty returns and are releasing empties for export shipments.

For customers with import cargo originally destined for Newark and/or Norfolk that is currently sitting in terminal, please arrange to pick up your containers as soon as possible to assist with increased flows of containers.

For customers with existing Norfolk/Newark business, rail and truck operations are currently running as normal.

As previously communicated, in the early hours of 26 March 2024, a vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, MD, resulting in damage to the structure. Our thoughts are with all parties impacted by the situation, and we remain in close contact with our partners and local agencies.

Due to the damage and resulting debris from the tragic incident, it is currently not possible to reach the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.

Therefore, at this time, no new bookings into or out of the Port of Baltimore will be accepted. However, we will continue to offer options through alternate USEC ports. We will also continue to provide Store Door service to and from Baltimore and surrounding areas.

In the early hours of 26 March 2024, a vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge, resulting in damage to the structure. Information on the situation remains pending and we remain in close contact with officials in the area.

We can confirm that the container vessel “DALI”,  is owned by Grace Ocean, and operated by Synergy Group. It is time chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk customers’ cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were onboard the vessel.

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.

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.

Please note that for cargo set to discharge in Baltimore, delays may occur, as they will need to discharge in other ports. We are keeping a close eye on the safety situation in the area and continuing to assess the viability of transportation through the area. We will inform you of any changes that may impact your cargo.

We are deeply concerned by this incident and are closely monitoring the situation. We understand the potential impact this may have on your logistics operation, and will communicate to our customers once we have more details from authorities. Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

For more information on your cargo, please reach out to your local Maersk representative.

Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

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