US Coast Guard to assess port infrastructure risks

Federal officials will conduct a study of US port infrastructure safety nearly two months after a massive containership brought down the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the Port of Baltimore.

The US Coast Guard (USGC), along with the Ports and Waterways Safety Board of Inquiry, will study 10 US ports to evaluate the risks of increased traffic and large commercial vessels on infrastructure like bridges, railways, pipelines, cargo terminals and power plants. A report on risk mitigation strategies and practices will be issued by the board and finalized by 31 May 2025.

The study could help avoid accidents like the one in Baltimore that killed six and curtailed traffic in and out of the harbor since 26 March, effecting markets for metals, biofuels, coal, organic agriculture, petcoke and other products.

The containership that struck the bridge was removed from the accident site on Monday, allowing commercial vessel traffic to resume. The port is expected to fully reopen by the end of May.

By Meghan Yoyotte