Welcome Departure for Vessels Trapped in Baltimore Harbor

Four vessels previously confined to Baltimore Harbor since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge last month have successfully navigated through the newly opened deeper channel and reached the Atlantic. A fifth ship is scheduled to depart later today.

The Balsa 94, a general cargo ship, was the first to exit yesterday, followed by the general cargo ship Saimaagracht, the Carmen car carrier, and finally the Phatra Naree, a 35,882 dwt bulk carrier owned by Thailand's Precious Shipping.

In addition to departures, the harbor is also receiving new arrivals. American Sugar Refining reported that a shipment of raw sugar from Florida was processed at its Baltimore refinery earlier this week.

The new 12-meter deep channel that facilitated these movements opened this week but will close again on Monday to begin operations for removing the Dali, the vessel responsible for the bridge's destruction, which resulted in the deaths of six road maintenance workers and significantly disrupted port operations.

Grace Ocean, a Singaporean shipowner, and the Synergy Group, its shipmanager, are set to face trial in Baltimore. Lawyers for the city have filed a lawsuit this week, alleging that their vessel departed the port in "unseaworthy" conditions.

The port's main channel, which has a depth of 15 meters, is anticipated to reopen next month following the removal of the Dali.