BALTIMORE, Md. (WAVY) — The cargo ship involved in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore that is presumed to have killed six people had been in Portsmouth last weekend, according to the Port of Virginia.
In a statement, the Port of Virginia, which is already handling cargo that had been destined for Baltimore in the wake of the bridge collapse, said the Singapore-flagged container ship mv. Dali had been in Portsmouth at the Virginia International Gateway terminal and said its time there and its departure to Baltimore went “without incident.”
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin confirmed that the Port of Virginia, which issued a statement offering its services, is already handling cargo that had been destined for the Port of Baltimore, that port having suspended vessel traffic into and out of its port until further notice.
“We have our first ocean carrier that was supposed to be heading to Baltimore making a stop in Virginia and unloading all of their Baltimore cargo here,” Youngkin said. “We’ve got capacity to do it, and I think that’s really important.”
The Port of Virginia noted that it has “a significant amount of experience in handling surges of import and export cargo” and stands ready to help.
Vessel Finder noted that the ship, managed by Synergy Marine Group and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., had been at the Port of Virginia since the early morning hours last Friday, March 22, and stayed at the port for nearly 20 hours before departing for Baltimore just before midnight Saturday. It also indicated what ships had responded to the incident in the immediate aftermath.
A container rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Sparrows Point, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) 
A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) 
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the overview of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Md., on May 6, 2023. A container ship lost power and rammed into the major bridge in on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, causing the span to buckle into the river below. (Maxaar Technologies via AP) 
Boats move near a container ship as it rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Dundalk, Md. The ship rammed into the major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to collapse in a matter of seconds and creating a terrifying scene as several vehicles plunged into the chilly river below. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Dali, which had been in Panama earlier this month before first reaching the United States at the Port of New York/New Jersey, arrived in Baltimore around 2:15 p.m. last Saturday, according to Vessel Finder, and left the Port of Baltimore just after 1 a.m. Tuesday before the collision into the Key Bridge a short time later.
The Port of Virginia is truly saddened by this morning’s news regarding the collision of the mv. Dali and the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Our thoughts are with all those families directly impacted by this tragic event. The mv. Dali called at Virginia Internationals Gateway (VIG) terminal and departed March 22 for Baltimore as its next scheduled port of call. The vessel’s call at VIG and its departure from the Norfolk Harbor were without incident. Our operating team is already working with ocean carriers whose vessels were due to call Baltimore and offering the capability of our port to discharge cargoes as requested. The Port of Virginia has a significant amount of experience in handling surges of import and export cargo and is ready to provide whatever assistance we can to the team at the Port of Baltimore.
Senior Director, Media Relations Joseph Harris
Youngkin released a statement of support amid the Baltimore Bridge collapse.
“I have spoken with [Maryland] Gov. Wes Moore this morning,” Youngkin said, “and Virginia stands ready to assist and support our neighbor Maryland. Our prayers are with the families affected and the courageous rescue efforts underway following the tragic incident at Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.”
The U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic is also working to help with the collapse aftermath.
Response boat crews from Coast Guard stations Curtis Bay — that’s near the bridge — and Annapolis deployed crews to the incident for active search and rescue.
“On scene we currently have three small boats,” said Lt. Cmdr. Aaron Palmar of the USCG. “We also have Coast Guard Cutter MACO, an 87-foot patrol boat. We have a helicopter from Atlantic City.”
The incident has caused a disruption in local marine traffic in one of the country’s busiest ports, so it’s no surprise that the Coast Guard has established a 2,000 yard safety zone around the area.
During a news conference, Baltimore County Fire Department Chief James Wallace said two people were pulled from the water.
Maryland Department of Transportation officials also confirmed contractors were on the bridge at the time of the collapse doing concrete repair work.
The container ship was departing Baltimore on its way toward Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Maryland Sen. Johnny Ray Stalling said the Francis Scott Key Bridge plays a vital role in both transportation and commerce.
“Losing this bridge will devastate the entire area, as well as the entire East Coast,” Salling said.
Tuesday afternoon, Carnival Cruise Line said it would be temporarily moving its Baltimore operations to Norfolk. Carnival Legend’s next seven-day itinerary March 31 will then leave from, and return to, Norfolk. People who are this and upcoming cruises are being notified of this change.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
