voyage forums

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• 124.9K members

mystery boat

undivided back

Vintage advertising

Austinsparks

Suction dredge Matthew Flinders

jamesgpobog

Anyone ever sail with this guy?

Top Contributors this Month

American Voyager Association

We welcome all Voyagers (those who Voyage) whether you ride a Kawasaki Voyager or not, all brands are welcomed to join!

Skip to content

• Join the AVA today (Opens a new tab)
• Make a Donation (Opens a new tab)
• Forum Registration (Opens a new tab)
• 2024 Rally Preview (Opens a new tab)
• 2023 Rally Closing Video (Opens a new tab)

It is currently Mon Apr 01, 2024 6:03 pm

• Past Rallies and Next Rally--Next Rally Is In : Blairsville, Georgia
• ↳   34th Annual AVA Rally Blairsville, GA. June 17th - 20th 2024
• ↳   33rd Annual AVA Rally Shelburne, NH. June 19th - 22nd 2023
• ↳   Past AVA Rallys
• ↳   32nd Annual AVA Rally Flagstaff, AZ. June 20th - 23rd 2022
• ↳   31st Annual AVA Rally Springfield, MO. June 14-17, 2021
• ↳   Our Annual AVA Rally North Conway, NH. June 22-25, 2020 was cancelled
• ↳   30th Annual AVA Rally Summersville WV. June 24-27 2019
• ↳   29th Annual AVA Rally Kerrville Tx. June 25-28 2018
• ↳   28th Annual AVA Rally Nashville In. June 21-19 2017
• ↳   27th Annual AVA Rally Hurley Wi. June 20-23, 2016
• ↳   26th Annual AVA Rally Estes Park Co. June 22-25, 2015
• ↳   25th Annual Ava Rally Ashville Nc. July 7-10-2014
• ↳   24th Annual AVA Rally Logan Oh July 8-11-2013
• Forum/Classified Ad Use/General Chat/Groups
• ↳   General Chat
• ↳   Forum/Classified Ads Use Questions
• ↳   Motorcycles for Sale
• ↳   Part for sale
• ↳   Parts Wanted
• Voyager Model Forums
• ↳   General - Voyager XII (1200 Four)
• ↳   Tech Tips - Voyager XII (1200 Four)
• ↳   General - Voyager 1300 Six
• ↳   Tech Tips - Voyager 1300 Six
• ↳   General - Voyager 1700 V-Twin
• ↳   Tech Tips - Voyager 1700 V-Twin
• ↳   AVA Voyagers 1300 1200 and 1700 Tech Center
• Other Brands/Misc.
• ↳   All Other Brands General Forum
• ↳   Travel Reports, Ideas, Questions, Suggestions
• ↳   Trailers/Trailer Tech
• ↳   Poll Forum
• AVA Express Flag
• ↳   AVA Express Flag
• Past Rallies and Next Rally--Next Rally Is In : Blairsville, Georgia Topics Posts Last post

• Forum/Classified Ad Use/General Chat/Groups Topics Posts Last post

• For Sale Topics Posts Last post
• Motorcycles for Sale Use this forum to list your motorcycle for sale Moderators: the2knights , Highway Rider Topics: 11 11 Topics 24 Posts Last post Re: Kawasaki 1999 Voyager 535… by Nails View the latest post Mon Jan 01, 2024 11:03 pm
• Part for sale Use this forum to list parts for sale Moderators: the2knights , Highway Rider Topics: 9 9 Topics 17 Posts Last post Re: Looking for the plastic c… by GrandpaDenny View the latest post Fri Jan 19, 2024 10:25 pm
• Parts Wanted This is where you can request parts that you are looking for Moderators: the2knights , Highway Rider Topics: 6 6 Topics 29 Posts Last post Re: Just purchased bike need … by sheiserman View the latest post Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:40 am
• Voyager Model Forums Topics Posts Last post

• Other Brands/Misc. Topics Posts Last post

• AVA Express Flag Topics Posts Last post

Login   •   Register

Who is online.

In total there are 31 users online :: 3 registered, 0 hidden and 28 guests (based on users active over the past 15 minutes) Most users ever online was 610 on Thu Jan 23, 2020 11:54 am Registered users: Bing [Bot] , New2Voyagers , Stew Legend: Administrators , AVA Members , Board Members , Registered users , Newly registered users , Trial Period

1089 visits • Total posts 49180 • Total topics 6109 • Total members 3675 • Our newest member Jahmalik

In total there are 31 users online :: 3 registered, 0 hidden and 28 guests (based on users active over the past 15 minutes) Most users ever online was 610 on Thu Jan 23, 2020 11:54 am

• All times are UTC
• Delete cookies

Powered by phpBB ® Forum Software © phpBB Limited

Privacy | Terms

Cruise Addicts Message Board Forums

Community message board.

• 49 minutes ago

Ask a Cruise Question

• Yesterday at 8:41 PM

Cruise Lines A Discussion of specific cruise line topics.

Carnival cruise lines.

• Feb 6, 2024

Celebrity Cruises

• Tuesday at 8:08 PM

Holland America Line

• Mar 24, 2024
• halcruisers2

Norwegian Cruise Lines

• Mar 16, 2024

Princess Cruises

• Today at 7:59 AM

Royal Caribbean International

• Feb 9, 2024

Viking Cruises

• Mar 14, 2024

MSC Cruises

• Feb 27, 2024

Port Information Port Information for some specific cruise regions.

• Oct 17, 2023
• RoadTrip_Ireland

Alaska & Pacific Northwest Ports

• May 21, 2023
• bigjimthomas

Caribbean Ports

• Aug 4, 2023

Cruise Addicts ROLL CALLS Are you sailing soon? Post your upcoming cruise and meet other Cruise Addicts onboard.

Roll calls - carnival.

• Nov 16, 2012

ROLL CALLS - Royal Caribbean

• Jan 8, 2024
• rocster0289

ROLL CALLS - Princess Cruises

• Nov 8, 2023

ROLL CALLS - Norwegian Cruises

• Dec 9, 2023

ROLL CALLS - Holland America

• Feb 11, 2024

ROLL CALLS - Celebrity

• Jan 29, 2024

Community Center Community Center

Guides - how-to's - tips and tricks.

• Aug 23, 2023
• donovapreuss

The Safe Harbor

• Apr 30, 2021

In Memoriam

• Jul 17, 2023

Food Recipes

• Nov 28, 2022

• Aug 12, 2022
• Gloria K. Jeffcoat

Latest photo/videos

Latest posts

• Latest: A’Burg Guy
• Latest: seamom
• 56 minutes ago
• Today at 12:57 PM

• Latest: old guy
• Today at 10:54 AM
• Latest: EMS8
• Today at 9:37 AM

Forum statistics

Share this page.

• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…

International trade: What you need to know this month

Global trade is expected to rebound this year after a difficult 2023. Image:  REUTERS/Rogan Ward

.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} Mariam Soumaré

• This monthly roundup brings you a selection of the latest news and updates on global trade.
• Top international trade stories: New UN update suggests trade will rebound in 2024; India and EFTA sign new trade deal; Supply chain concerns after cargo ship hits US bridge.

1. Global trade set to rebound in 2024

The latest Global Trade Update from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says global trade is set to rebound in 2024, after several quarters of decline.

Initial figures suggest a $1 trillion contraction in global trade last year. This was largely driven by lower demand in developed economies and weaker trade in East Asia and Latin America, UNCTAD said.

However, data for the first quarter of 2024 suggest improvements in global trade. Rising demand for environmental goods, like electric vehicles, and an improved global economic outlook are expected to bolster trade this year.

However, concerns remain over geopolitical tensions and future disruptions to supply chains.

2. EU backs supply chain due diligence law

From 2029, companies in Europe will have to prove they are taking action to protect the environment and human rights throughout their supply chain.

A new supply chain audit law, the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD) , has received the backing of a majority of European governments. It is expected to be voted through by the full European Parliament following approval of a revised version by that body’s Legal Affairs Committee.

For companies that will be covered by the CSDDD, identifying compliance and implementation strategies is now key, experts say. According to the proposed law, each EU member state will designate a supervisory authority to check company compliance, and cooperate with each other through a European Network of Supervisory Authorities. These bodies can launch investigations and impose non-compliant penalties – including fines of up to 5% of a companies’ net worldwide turnover.

Have you read?

Supply chain sustainability policies: state of play, eu governments back human rights and environmental due diligence law for supply chains.

The CSDDD does not require supply chain traceability specifically, but companies will need get ready with a comprehensive understanding of their supplier practices, set up pathways for supply chain visibility and procurement, establish due diligence policies (if not already in place), train procurement and product teams, among other actions.

3. News in brief: Trade stories from around the world

Supply chain disruptions are expected in the US and around the world after a cargo ship collided with a bridge in the US city of Baltimore. Authorities have suspended maritime traffic through the Port of Baltimore, which handled 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo, worth $80 billion, in 2023. "There is no question that this will be a major and protracted impact to supply chains," US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg told reporters .

Global trade ministers met in late February and early March at the World Trade Organization's 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13). The meeting ended with some outcomes, but also significant uncertainty on the way forward. While agreement was reached in areas like services facilitation and on avoiding tariffs for data flows, many other issues like agriculture, dispute settlement and environment faltered.

The French Sénat has voted against a free-trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Canada. The agreement has been in force provisionally since 2017, but requires all EU member countries to ratify it to take full effect.

The UK has taken one step closer to joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade group after the bill received Royal Assent. When the UK joins, the CPTPP will cover 15% of global GDP.

Initial estimates suggest the Eurozone had a €11.4 ($12.3) billion surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in January. This compares to a €32.6 ($35.3) billion deficit in January 2023.

The EU has agreed to extend trade liberalization measures for Ukraine, which will keep import duties and quotas on the country's agricultural exports suspended for another year. Brussels, however, has also implemented patchwork food import restrictions in an effort to protect EU farmers. Brazil has launched a series of investigations into the alleged dumping of industrial products by China. In recent months, Latin America’s largest economy has seen a major increase in the number of cheap goods imported from China.

4. More on trade from Agenda

What did we learn from WTO MC13 ? Find out more from the Forum's Head of Digital Trade and Geopolitics, Simon Lacey.

India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have agreed to a new trade partnership to enhance market access and simplify customs procedures. India said the deal contained a "binding" commitment for the EFTA states to invest $100 billion over 15 years, to create 1 million jobs. Learn more about the deal and the EFTA in our Agenda explainer .

Disruptions to global trade and supply chains as a result of the crisis in the Red Sea could also have an environmental impact. But, what is " slow steaming " and what might it mean for emissions? For more, read what trade experts are saying about the shipping disruptions in the Red Sea.

The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation , a public private partnership for trade-led growth, has released its Annual Report 2023 . The report details the successful delivery of five projects across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, highlighting that the elimination of red tape at borders can help tackle some of the world’s greatest collective challenges. The World Economic Forum is a leading partner in the Alliance.

The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation is a collaboration of international organisations, governments and businesses led by the Center for International Private Enterprise , the International Chamber of Commerce and the World Economic Forum , in cooperation with Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit .

It aims to help governments in developing and least developed countries implement the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement by bringing together governments and businesses to identify opportunities to address delays and unnecessary red-tape at borders.

For example, in Colombia, the Alliance worked with the National Food and Drug Surveillance Institute and business to introduce a risk management system that can facilitate trade while protecting public health, cutting the average rate of physical inspections of food and beverages by 30% and delivering $8.8 million in savings for importers in the first 18 months of operation.

US Flag vessel fire on sea trial & towed to port

Anybody heard about a US vessel leaving the yard in AL & having to return under tow due to a fire? A former shipmate, who was aboard, posted about it. Prudently, didn’t mention ship’s name.

Being reported as the Button

There was another bridge strike in Arkansas

And a laker hit a lighthouse

MEBA’s Facebook page oddly silent on these recent incidents.

Maybe they learned their lesson from this classless post.

Ships of all types and sizes, flying many different flags arrives and leaves port all over the world all the time. Very few of them have a blackout during the passage to/from open sea and even fewer hit bridges if that happens.

That this come from a Maritime Union is downright disgraceful.

Haven’t they better things to do, like to protect their members from exploitation by greedy Owners. (Sarcasm)

AMO ship, not MEBA. Hopefully everyone onboard is OK. These ships were build in the 80’s and are certainly a handful to keep running.

MEBA posted it.

That trash post was bout the Dali, not the Bobo class ship.

And this one was built last year.

I thought this thread was about a ship that returned to port after a fire, not the reflagged car ship.

The laker that hit the light is neither MEBA or AMO. Another Rand Logistics vessel took on too much ore at Duluth and went aground at the dock. Had to lightered into another ore boat. So they were causing massive delays at both ends Lake Superior this week.

Related Topics

WELCOME TO SHIPSPOTTING.COM X

• ShipXplorer
• Info & FAQs
• ShipSpotting.com Forum

ShipSpotting.com - 1 Million Photos

• View the memberlist
• Search For Members

ShipSpotting.com Forum - Info Center

Forum stats.

58,414 Posts in 10,596 Topics by 148,010 Members. Latest Member: Nico Kuneman Latest Post: " Re: SITE PROBLEM ? " ( Today at 02:20:53 PM ) View the most recent posts on the forum. [More Stats]

Users Online

63 Guests, 2 Users

Users active in past 15 minutes: joopderaad , libertyshiplad

Most Online Today: 111 . Most Online Ever: 1,432 (October 17, 2020, 08:46:28 AM)

• SMF 2.0.19 | SMF © 2021 , Simple Machines SMFAds for Free Forums

Page created in 0.066 seconds with 15 queries.

Want to hide ads? See how you can have an Ad Free Experience . Or please disable any ad or script blocking software, then reload this page.

Baltimore bridge collapse: a bridge engineer explains what happened, and what needs to change

Associate Professor, Civil Engineering, Monash University

Disclosure statement

Colin Caprani receives funding from the Department of Transport (Victoria) and the Level Crossing Removal Project. He is also Chair of the Confidential Reporting Scheme for Safer Structures - Australasia, Chair of the Australian Regional Group of the Institution of Structural Engineers, and Australian National Delegate for the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering.

Monash University provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

View all partners

When the container ship MV Dali, 300 metres long and massing around 100,000 tonnes, lost power and slammed into one of the support piers of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the bridge collapsed in moments . Six people are presumed dead, several others injured, and the city and region are expecting a months-long logistical nightmare in the absence of a crucial transport link.

It was a shocking event, not only for the public but for bridge engineers like me. We work very hard to ensure bridges are safe, and overall the probability of being injured or worse in a bridge collapse remains even lower than the chance of being struck by lightning.

However, the images from Baltimore are a reminder that safety can’t be taken for granted. We need to remain vigilant.

So why did this bridge collapse? And, just as importantly, how might we make other bridges more safe against such collapse?

A 20th century bridge meets a 21st century ship

The Francis Scott Key Bridge was built through the mid 1970s and opened in 1977. The main structure over the navigation channel is a “continuous truss bridge” in three sections or spans.

The bridge rests on four supports, two of which sit each side of the navigable waterway. It is these two piers that are critical to protect against ship impacts.

And indeed, there were two layers of protection: a so-called “dolphin” structure made from concrete, and a fender. The dolphins are in the water about 100 metres upstream and downstream of the piers. They are intended to be sacrificed in the event of a wayward ship, absorbing its energy and being deformed in the process but keeping the ship from hitting the bridge itself.

The fender is the last layer of protection. It is a structure made of timber and reinforced concrete placed around the main piers. Again, it is intended to absorb the energy of any impact.

Fenders are not intended to absorb impacts from very large vessels . And so when the MV Dali, weighing more than 100,000 tonnes, made it past the protective dolphins, it was simply far too massive for the fender to withstand.

Read more: I've captained ships into tight ports like Baltimore, and this is how captains like me work with harbor pilots to avoid deadly collisions

Video recordings show a cloud of dust appearing just before the bridge collapsed, which may well have been the fender disintegrating as it was crushed by the ship.

Once the massive ship had made it past both the dolphin and the fender, the pier – one of the bridge’s four main supports – was simply incapable of resisting the impact. Given the size of the vessel and its likely speed of around 8 knots (15 kilometres per hour), the impact force would have been around 20,000 tonnes .

Bridges are getting safer

This was not the first time a ship hit the Francis Scott Bridge. There was another collision in 1980 , damaging a fender badly enough that it had to be replaced.

Around the world, 35 major bridge collapses resulting in fatalities were caused by collisions between 1960 and 2015, according to a 2018 report from the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. Collisions between ships and bridges in the 1970s and early 1980s led to a significant improvement in the design rules for protecting bridges from impact.

Further impacts in the 1970s and early 1980s instigated significant improvements in the design rules for impact.

The International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering’s Ship Collision with Bridges guide, published in 1993, and the American Association of State Highway and Transporation Officials’ Guide Specification and Commentary for Vessel Collision Design of Highway Bridges (1991) changed how bridges were designed.

In Australia, the Australian Standard for Bridge Design (published in 2017) requires designers to think about the biggest vessel likely to come along in the next 100 years, and what would happen if it were heading for any bridge pier at full speed. Designers need to consider the result of both head-on collisions and side-on, glancing blows. As a result, many newer bridges protect their piers with entire human-made islands.

Of course, these improvements came too late to influence the design of the Francis Scott Key Bridge itself.

Lessons from disaster

So what are the lessons apparent at this early stage?

First, it’s clear the protection measures in place for this bridge were not enough to handle this ship impact. Today’s cargo ships are much bigger than those of the 1970s, and it seems likely the Francis Scott Key Bridge was not designed with a collision like this in mind.

So one lesson is that we need to consider how the vessels near our bridges are changing. This means we cannot just accept the structure as it was built, but ensure the protection measures around our bridges are evolving alongside the ships around them.

Second, and more generally, we must remain vigilant in managing our bridges. I’ve written previously about the current level of safety of Australian bridges, but also about how we can do better.

This tragic event only emphasises the need to spend more on maintaining our ageing infrastructure. This is the only way to ensure it remains safe and functional for the demands we put on it today.

• Engineering
• Infrastructure
• Urban infrastructure
• container ships
• Baltimore bridge collapse

School of Social Sciences – Public Policy and International Relations opportunities

School of Social Sciences – Human Geography opportunities

School of Social Sciences – Criminology opportunities

School of Social Sciences – Academic appointment opportunities

Biocloud Project Manager - Australian Biocommons

Five tough questions in the wake of the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse

As the full scope of the dramatic and shocking collapse of Baltimore's crucial Francis Scott Key Bridge comes into focus, the region and the nation are just beginning to grapple with what the future, both near and long-term, might hold, but there are tough questions still unanswered.

The bridge was a critical link in the transportation system serving a metro area of more than 2.8 million people and a vital artery for East Coast shipping. Its collapse not only means the loss of a major roadway but also at least temporarily a large, thriving port until the wreckage of the bridge and the ship can be cleared and, perhaps, a new bridge can be constructed.

Here are some of the unknowns and some questions without easy answers.

Why did a cargo ship ram the Francis Scott Key Bridge?

The cause of the collapse was evident in gut-wrenching video that captured the moments Tuesday when the Dali , a hulking , Sri Lanka-bound cargo ship, hit one of the bridge's A-shaped support piers, causing the steel structure to fail and fall into the Patapsco River.

Officials say the 984-foot ship suffered a power outage and sounded a mayday, allowing them to stop vehicle traffic before the collision. But they have not yet elaborated on why the ship lost power or other factors that may have played a role. The National Transportation Safety Board recovered the vessel's black box recorder and the investigation is ongoing.

What happened, in depth: A giant ship. A power blackout. A scramble to stop traffic: How Baltimore bridge collapsed

How long will it take to remove the ship and the debris in the water?

Benjamin Schafer, a professor of civil and systems engineering at Johns Hopkins University, said Wednesday that it would be difficult to gauge how long it might take to remove debris from the Dali and the bridge.

But in a meeting with journalists, he indicated it would be wise to think in terms of months, rather than weeks.

“I’d be shocked if it’s weeks but I don’t think it’ll take even a year,” said Schafer, a structural engineer. 

The latest news: Baltimore bridge recovery effort presses on; 22-member crew still aboard ship

How long will it take to rebuild the bridge in Baltimore?

A complete rebuild could take a decade or more, Schafer said. He noted that building the original bridge took five years and rebuilding the Skyway Bridge in Tampa after it was hit by a freighter in 1980 took seven.

“To actually recreate that whole transportation network," he said. "Projects that large take “rarely less than 10 years."

Visualizing the collision and collapse: After ship hits Baltimore bridge, mapping how the collapse unfolded

How much will all of this cost?

Addressing the crisis from the White House, President Joe Biden on Tuesday pledged federal support for the rebuilding process.

“It's my intention that federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge. And I expect the Congress to support my effort,” Biden said. "It's going to take some time. The people of Baltimore can count on us, though, to stick with them at every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt."

Who will pay for it? With death toll unknown and bridge collapsed, Biden pledges federal support for Baltimore

That tab could be exceptionally high, Schafer said . Removing the Dali and the bridge debris and rebuilding the bridge and surrounding infrastructure would be an enormous undertaking at today's rates.

"The price tags never seem to be out of the hundred of millions these days," he said.

How can disasters like the collapse of the Baltimore bridge be prevented?

Susu Xu, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins' Department of Civil and Systems Engineering, said there are some s teps that can be taken to try and avert a bridge collapse and potentially catastrophic loss of life.

Aging infrastructure: Baltimore bridge collapse reignites calls for fixes to America's aging bridges

Sensors could be installed on piers or bridge decks to detect when a ship is getting too close and trigger warning lights to stop traffic from entering the bridge and alert emergency responders and other agencies, Xu said.

Building collapse-proof bridges is more challenging, Schafer said. It could be done, but it would be costly. So-called dolphin structures – barriers placed near bridges to divert ships – can be helpful, he said, but they might not work, given the sheer volume of cargo vessels.

"These things are a balance and we as a society, we have to try to make these choices the best we can to have the economic engines like the port, to have a transportation network," Schafer said. "What it feels like right now is that we didn't get the balance right, and there needed to be more consideration for this possible event."

Travel Forum

Tripadvisor forums, share. learn. go..

Ask travelers who’ve been there before.

Share your experience with fellow travelers.

Browse by destination

• United States
• Central America
• South Pacific
• South America
• Middle East

Browse by theme

• Traveling with Pets
• Outdoors / Adventure Travel
• Travel Gadgets and Gear
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Family Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Train Travel
• Antarctic Adventures
• Solo Travel

Popular destination forums

Baltimore bridge collapse: Everything we know about the disaster

Rescue teams are searching for survivors after the 1.6-mile long Francis Scott Key Bridge crashed into the Patapsco River at around 1.30am local time (5.30am UK time) on Tuesday.

Wednesday 27 March 2024 04:54, UK

A major bridge collapsed in the US city of Baltimore after it was hit by a 289m-long cargo ship.

Six people remain missing after two others were rescued from the water following the disaster in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Here's everything we know about the incident so far.

What happened?

A large section of the 1.6 mile-long Francis Scott Key Bridge fell into the water after it was struck by a container ship, known as the Dali, at around 1.30am local time (5.30am UK time).

The vessel struck one of the bridge's supports, causing the whole structure to collapse, sending the road surface and steel beams crashing into the water.

Baltimore bridge latest: Follow live updates

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into what happened, with its chair Jennifer Homendy saying at least six people are still missing.

Eight people were initially unaccounted for - with one described as being in a "very serious condition" in hospital. The other was not injured.

The six missing are believed to be part of a construction crew that was repairing potholes on the bridge, the Maryland Department of Transportation has said.

All 22 crew members on board the ship, including the two pilots, have been accounted for and there were no reports of injuries.

Read more: Biden promises to visit Baltimore 'as soon as possible' 'Huge implications' as collapse forces busy port to close Two possible causes for the catastrophe

What does the footage show?

Dramatic video shows the cargo vessel approaching the bridge before the structure collapses into the water.

Vehicles can be seen falling from the bridge.

An exact number has not been given, but Baltimore fire department's communications chief Kevin Cartwright said multiple vehicles were on the bridge when it was struck by the ship, one of which was the size of an HGV.

US president Joe Biden said in a news conference hours after the collapse that personnel on the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel.

Mr Biden added this "undoubtedly saved lives" at it meant local authorities were able to close the bridge before it was struck.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

What happened in the moments before the crash?

CCTV and marine tracking data shows the container ship lost power for about 60 seconds about four minutes before it hit the bridge. It appeared to adjust its course and start smoking before impact.

According to the timings on the CCTV, the vessel hit the structure at 1.28:44am - with the bridge collapsing four seconds later.

The operators of the Dali cargo ship issued a mayday call that the vessel had lost power moments before the crash, but the ship still headed toward the bridge at "a very, very rapid speed", Maryland Governor Wes Moore said.

The ship was moving at eight knots, which is roughly 9mph, when it hit the structure, the governor said.

What do we know about the ship?

The Singapore-flagged container ship, known as Dali, was headed to Colombo in Sri Lanka at the time of the collision.

Synergy Marine Group, the company which manages the ship, said it hit the bridge while under the control of two pilots.

The firm said the exact cause of the incident was yet to be determined.

The Dali was previously involved in a minor incident when it hit a quay at the Port of Antwerp in Belgium in 2016, according to Vessel Finder and maritime accident site Shipwrecklog.

An inspection of the Dali last June at a port in Chile identified a problem with the ship's "propulsion and auxiliary machinery", according to Equasis, a shipping information system.

The deficiency involved gauges and thermometers, but the website's online records did not elaborate.

The most recent inspection listed for the Dali was conducted by the US Coast Guard in New York on 13 September 2023. The "standard examination" did not identify any deficiencies, according to the Equasis data.

What do we know about the bridge itself?

Last June, federal inspectors rated the 47-year-old bridge to be in fair condition. But the structure did not appear to have pier protection to withstand the crash, experts said.

"If a bridge pier without adequate protection is hit by a ship of this size, there is very little that the bridge could do," according to Virginia Tech engineering professor Roberto Leon.

Built in 1977 and referred to locally as the Key Bridge, it was named after the author of the American national anthem.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

What impact could this collision have?

All ship traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice, though the port remains open to trucks, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.

Last year, the port handled a record 52.3m tons of foreign cargo worth $80bn (£63bn), according to the state. In addition to cargo, more than 444,000 passengers cruised out of the port in 2023.

The port is a major east coast hub for shipping. The bridge spans the Patapsco River, which massive cargo ships use to reach the Chesapeake Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean.

The Dali was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and flying under a Singapore flag, according to data from Marine Traffic.

President Biden said that he plans to travel to Baltimore "as quickly as I can" and that he expects the federal government to pick up the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge.

Has this ever happened before?

From 1960 to 2015, there were 35 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collisions, with a total of 342 people killed, according to a 2018 report from the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure.

Eighteen of those collapses happened in the United States.

Among them were a 2002 incident in which a barge struck the Interstate 40 bridge over the Arkansas River at Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, sending vehicles plunging into the water. Fourteen people died and 11 were injured.

In 2001, a tugboat and barge struck the Queen Isabella Causeway in Port Isabel, Texas, causing a section of the bridge to tumble 80 feet into the bay below. Eight people were killed.

In 1993, barges being pushed by a towboat in dense fog hit and displaced the Big Bayou Canot railroad bridge near Mobile, Alabama.

Minutes later, an Amtrak train with 220 people onboard reached the displaced bridge and derailed, killing 47 people and injuring 103 others.

Related Topics

• Baltimore bridge collapse
• United States

Six people presumed dead after Baltimore Key Bridge collapses, Coast Guard says

A major bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being hit by a freighter about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, sending at least eight people from a construction crew into the water as a large section of the bridge crashed into the Patapsco River. Six people were presumed dead Tuesday evening, authorities announced as they shifted from a search and rescue operation to a recovery effort. The container ship lost power moments before it struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said at a news conference.

• Ship’s pilot tried to slow the vessel as it veered toward bridge, trade association says
• Rescue operation ends with six presumed dead
• Baltimore community gathers for vigil honoring bridge collapse victims

Here's what to know:

Here's what to know, live coverage contributors 50.

10:22 a.m. EDT 10:22 a.m. EDT

12:03 a.m. EDT 12:03 a.m. EDT

10:50 p.m. EDT 10:50 p.m. EDT

10:25 p.m. EDT 10:25 p.m. EDT

9:57 p.m. EDT 9:57 p.m. EDT

9:30 p.m. EDT 9:30 p.m. EDT

9:03 p.m. EDT Reporting from Baltimore 9:03 p.m. EDT

9:00 p.m. EDT Bullet Key update 9:00 p.m. EDT

8:25 p.m. EDT Bullet Key update 8:25 p.m. EDT

8:01 p.m. EDT Bullet Key update 8:01 p.m. EDT

7:49 p.m. EDT 7:49 p.m. EDT

7:31 p.m. EDT 7:31 p.m. EDT

6:56 p.m. EDT 6:56 p.m. EDT

6:45 p.m. EDT 6:45 p.m. EDT

6:16 p.m. EDT 6:16 p.m. EDT

6:14 p.m. EDT 6:14 p.m. EDT

6:00 p.m. EDT 6:00 p.m. EDT

5:58 p.m. EDT 5:58 p.m. EDT

5:16 p.m. EDT 5:16 p.m. EDT

5:06 p.m. EDT 5:06 p.m. EDT

4:58 p.m. EDT Bullet Key update 4:58 p.m. EDT

4:31 p.m. EDT 4:31 p.m. EDT

4:29 p.m. EDT 4:29 p.m. EDT

4:24 p.m. EDT 4:24 p.m. EDT

4:21 p.m. EDT 4:21 p.m. EDT

4:17 p.m. EDT 4:17 p.m. EDT

4:16 p.m. EDT 4:16 p.m. EDT

4:11 p.m. EDT 4:11 p.m. EDT

4:09 p.m. EDT 4:09 p.m. EDT

3:35 p.m. EDT 3:35 p.m. EDT

3:34 p.m. EDT 3:34 p.m. EDT

3:12 p.m. EDT 3:12 p.m. EDT

3:10 p.m. EDT 3:10 p.m. EDT

3:09 p.m. EDT 3:09 p.m. EDT

2:58 p.m. EDT 2:58 p.m. EDT

2:56 p.m. EDT 2:56 p.m. EDT

2:22 p.m. EDT 2:22 p.m. EDT

2:19 p.m. EDT 2:19 p.m. EDT

2:11 p.m. EDT 2:11 p.m. EDT

1:31 p.m. EDT 1:31 p.m. EDT

1:23 p.m. EDT 1:23 p.m. EDT

1:14 p.m. EDT 1:14 p.m. EDT

12:47 p.m. EDT 12:47 p.m. EDT

12:38 p.m. EDT 12:38 p.m. EDT

12:27 p.m. EDT 12:27 p.m. EDT

11:58 a.m. EDT 11:58 a.m. EDT

11:56 a.m. EDT 11:56 a.m. EDT

11:55 a.m. EDT 11:55 a.m. EDT

11:49 a.m. EDT 11:49 a.m. EDT

11:45 a.m. EDT 11:45 a.m. EDT

11:36 a.m. EDT 11:36 a.m. EDT

11:32 a.m. EDT 11:32 a.m. EDT

11:17 a.m. EDT 11:17 a.m. EDT

11:15 a.m. EDT 11:15 a.m. EDT

11:02 a.m. EDT 11:02 a.m. EDT

10:58 a.m. EDT 10:58 a.m. EDT

10:53 a.m. EDT 10:53 a.m. EDT

10:47 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 10:47 a.m. EDT

10:35 a.m. EDT 10:35 a.m. EDT

10:34 a.m. EDT 10:34 a.m. EDT

10:24 a.m. EDT 10:24 a.m. EDT

10:19 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 10:19 a.m. EDT

10:14 a.m. EDT 10:14 a.m. EDT

10:10 a.m. EDT 10:10 a.m. EDT

10:05 a.m. EDT 10:05 a.m. EDT

10:02 a.m. EDT 10:02 a.m. EDT

9:44 a.m. EDT 9:44 a.m. EDT

9:32 a.m. EDT 9:32 a.m. EDT

9:30 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 9:30 a.m. EDT

9:22 a.m. EDT 9:22 a.m. EDT

9:18 a.m. EDT 9:18 a.m. EDT

9:17 a.m. EDT 9:17 a.m. EDT

9:09 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 9:09 a.m. EDT

9:00 a.m. EDT 9:00 a.m. EDT

8:51 a.m. EDT 8:51 a.m. EDT

8:35 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 8:35 a.m. EDT

8:29 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 8:29 a.m. EDT

8:19 a.m. EDT 8:19 a.m. EDT

8:15 a.m. EDT 8:15 a.m. EDT

7:59 a.m. EDT 7:59 a.m. EDT

7:46 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 7:46 a.m. EDT

7:21 a.m. EDT 7:21 a.m. EDT

7:18 a.m. EDT 7:18 a.m. EDT

6:52 a.m. EDT 6:52 a.m. EDT

6:49 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 6:49 a.m. EDT

6:18 a.m. EDT 6:18 a.m. EDT

5:51 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 5:51 a.m. EDT

5:31 a.m. EDT 5:31 a.m. EDT

5:27 a.m. EDT 5:27 a.m. EDT

5:19 a.m. EDT 5:19 a.m. EDT

5:13 a.m. EDT 5:13 a.m. EDT

5:00 a.m. EDT Reporting on the scene from Baltimore 5:00 a.m. EDT

4:41 a.m. EDT 4:41 a.m. EDT

4:40 a.m. EDT 4:40 a.m. EDT

4:24 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 4:24 a.m. EDT

4:18 a.m. EDT Bullet Key update 4:18 a.m. EDT

4:12 a.m. EDT 4:12 a.m. EDT

• Cruise Lines “P – Z”

Royal Caribbean International

• Read thousands of Royal Caribbean Cruise Reviews • Write a Royal Caribbean Cruise Review

• Adventure of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Star of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas
• Voyager of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

382,780 topics in this forum

• Recently Updated
• Most Viewed
• Most Replies

Royal Caribbean Cabin Information Compilation -NO CABIN QUESTIONS POSTED HERE PLEASE! 1 2 3 4 54

• 1.3k replies
• Cruise a holic
• Wednesday at 01:03 PM

Help Create a NEW "Cruising on Royal Caribbean FAQ" 1 2 3 4 27

• 665 replies
• 640.7k views
• QTBabyNurse

Meet & Mingle Door Signs 1 2 3 4 17

• 407 replies
• 396.6k views

Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?) 1 2 3 4 4733

• 118.3k replies

Wonder of the Seas impressions 3/17-3/24

• 1 minute ago

Advice needed - Parents in Sky Class, Adult Kids in standard balcony

• LittleMissMagic
• 4 minutes ago

RCCL SERVICE DOG INFORMATION

• ticketsunlimited
• 7 minutes ago

LIVE 🚢🎉🥳🍾⛵️Allure of the Seas - April 5, 2024 1 2

• 19 minutes ago

What type of "Service Dog" is this? 1 2 3 4 7

• 168 replies
• 17.2k views

• 20 minutes ago

Thoughts, impressions, and observations for the World Cruise. 1 2 3 4 184

• 4.6k replies
• 424.6k views
• elizabethbp

Anyone Else Leaving or Considering Leaving RCL Over Prices? 1 2 3 4 18

• 434 replies
• 21.4k views

• island lady
• 26 minutes ago

RoyalUp notice question

• leaveitallbehind
• 32 minutes ago

Are passengers finally allowed to get their own soft serve ice cream again? 1 2

• 34 minutes ago

Pier Runners on Icon of the seas. 1 2 3 4 5

• 117 replies
• 36 minutes ago

What essentials and fun items do you bring? 1 2 3 4 8

• 176 replies
• lenquixote66
• 37 minutes ago

Maximum Age Limits for Shore Excursions

• Engineroom Snipe
• 39 minutes ago

Luggage tags

• 41 minutes ago

Booked Icon online but wanting to change ships

• 48 minutes ago

Wonder of the seas cabin selection

• Starry Eyes
• 49 minutes ago

Container Ship Struck Key Bridge in Baltimore, Bridge has Collapsed 1 2 3 4 26

• 629 replies
• 44.5k views

Odyssey Streaming iPhone to TV - wireless

• onealphay2k

Insurance for a free cruise

Live! Anthem of the Seas March 24-31, 2023 with Dragon of the Seas 1 2 3 4 6

• 147 replies

Anthem of the Seas Trip Report - March 24-31 - Wins, Misses, and Lessons Learned

• CruisingInFebruary

Bogo diamond plus 1 2

• 2 hours ago
• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• River Cruising
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Click this gorgeous photo by urnojfk to Write a Review!

New Member Photos

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...