CMA CGM declares a force majeure for Port of Baltimore shipments following the Francis Scott Bridge collapse caused by the containership Dali.
Following the terrible accident with the Maersk-chartered Dali that resulted in six fatalities, the Port of Baltimore was closed until further notice. CMA CGM stated that it had devised a contingency plan that complied with Clause 10 of its Bill of Lading terms and conditions.
According to CMA CGM, exports that are stranded in the Port of Baltimore will stay there until the port reopens unless the shipper gives instructions to do otherwise. If the shipper decides to reroute goods to another load port, the associated costs will be covered. Bookings from Baltimore will not be accepted by the French line until further notice. If possible, Norfolk will serve as a substitute load port; if not, New York will be used.
According to CMA CGM, the Bill of Lading for import containers that are now sailing toward Baltimore will terminate, and they will be released to “an alternative port” for pickup.
While not use the phrase “Force Majeure,” other significant container lines published comparable notifications on shipments to and from the Port of Baltimore.
All containers intended for Baltimore will be diverted to New York, according to a customer alert from Hapag-Lloyd. Shippers might request that these containers be transferred to Baltimore at their expense. Until a signed request for an alternate load port at the cargo owner’s expense is received from the shipper, containers that are ready for shipment out of the Port of Baltimore will remain there.
According to a notice from the Dali’s charterer, Maersk, the cargo on the water will be released at several US East Coast ports, and the journey would end there. Due to the limited truck and rail capacity available, Maersk stated that customers will be offered the option to accommodate inland movements on an individual basis.
With some adjustments to be disclosed, MSC is rerouting service from Baltimore to New York and Newark.
Data and analytics company Russell Group has projected that it might affect $8 billion worth of trade, with a protracted shutdown of the Port of Baltimore anticipated while salvage efforts clear the remains of the bridge. This comprises $377 million in coal exports and $1.49 billion worth of autos that would be affected over the course of the next six weeks, assuming a minimum six-week closure.
Photo: USCG
