Following a cargo ship collision with a motorway bridge in Baltimore, concerns have arisen regarding potential disruptions to both local and global trade. While the incident may temporarily affect US supply chains and the Maryland economy, its impact on global trade movements is expected to be minimal.

The closure of Baltimore’s port, which handles approximately 10% of imports to the northeast US, could lead to short-term disruptions. However, the majority of containerized shipments can be rerouted to other nearby ports such as Wilmington, Philadelphia, and New Jersey.

The collision involving the Singapore-flagged Dali, a 117,000-tonne container ship, resulted in the collapse of a section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, blocking seaborne access to most of the city’s port facilities. Unfortunately, six construction workers are missing and presumed dead.

The Maryland Port Administration has stated uncertainty regarding the duration of the suspension of vessel traffic. While ground transport continues to serve the port terminals, MSC anticipates several months for the port to be declared safe.

Analysts predict that the primary impacts of the bridge disaster will be felt by Baltimore’s local economy rather than global supply chains. Despite ongoing challenges such as Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and capacity reductions in the Panama Canal, the disruption’s effects on US GDP and inflation are expected to be minimal.

Although the Port of Baltimore is smaller in capacity compared to other ports in the northeast US, it is a crucial hub for imports and exports of cars and trucks, handling around 847,000 vehicles in 2023. The impact on the automotive industry may be mitigated as one of the main terminals remains accessible for ships.

Furthermore, while Baltimore is a significant coal export terminal, the impact on global coal trade may be limited. However, there could be potential disruptions to coal prices in India, a top export destination for coal shipped from Baltimore.

Container xChange warns of potential congestion and delays at nearby ports due to redirected vessel traffic, which could affect the timely delivery of goods and lead to inventory shortages.

The bridge collapse has highlighted the importance of Baltimore’s port as an economic hub, supporting thousands of jobs and businesses in the region. The disruption could have ripple effects on the local economy, including job losses and reduced business activity.

US President Joe Biden has pledged efforts to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge promptly. Meanwhile, the involved companies are working on contingency plans to address cargo interests and potential delays.

As emergency responders work to recover the missing construction workers, the incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with maritime transportation and infrastructure vulnerabilities.