US automakers rerouting ships from Baltimore following bridge collapse

The U.S. automaker said it would reroute shipments after the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed early Tuesday.

The cargo ship Dali, which was bound for Sri Lanka, lost power at around 1:30 a.m. and collided with a bridge support, causing the bridge to collapse. The ship was leaving the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest ports in the United States.

Now, automakers and shipping companies say cargo and shipping routes must be rerouted until bridges are rebuilt and ports reopen. According to , this port is the top port for motor vehicle shipping in the United States. Maryland Port Authority.

“If a workaround is needed in the short term, our teams have already secured alternative transportation options,” Ford told The Hill in a statement.

General Motors also said in a statement that it was forced to reroute some vehicles due to the accident.

“Our thoughts are with those affected and the Baltimore community. We expect this situation to have minimal impact on our operations. We are redirecting vehicle shipments to other ports. We are working to change that.”

The American Trucking Associations expects transportation delays and told The Hill that nearly 4,900 trucks cross the bridge each day. Trucks carrying hazardous materials are prohibited from using tunnels within the city, so they must detour about 30 miles around Baltimore, spokeswoman Jessica Gale said.

“This will add significant costs in time, fuel, and delays for trucks traveling through the region on top of the economic disruption that the closure of the Port of Baltimore will cause. We urge them to quickly target the appropriate resources to open ports and replace this bridge as soon as possible,” she said.

President Biden said two of the eight people on the bridge were rescued and search and rescue efforts were underway for the remaining victims. In his remarks Tuesday, he also vowed to reopen ports and rebuild bridges.

“It is my intention that the federal government pays for the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge, and I look forward to Congress supporting my efforts,” Biden said at the White House. “This will take time, but the people of Baltimore are counting on us to be with them every step of the way until our ports are reopened and our bridges are rebuilt.”