On March 26, a tragic incident occurred in Baltimore when the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed after a container ship, Dali, lost power and collided with the support structure. The collision, which happened around 1:30 am, resulted in the deaths of six construction workers. This incident has sparked conspiracy theories, with some speculating that the ship’s GPS may have been hacked, considering these systems are not encrypted.
Since the collapse and the resulting traffic delays in Baltimore, the media has been on high alert for similar incidents. Last Friday night, another container ship lost power in the waters around New York City, causing it to come dangerously close to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. This second incident occurred just two weeks after the tragedy in Baltimore, raising concerns about the safety and reliability of maritime transportation.
The US Coast Guard confirmed receiving a report from its Vessel Traffic Service that the M/V APL Qingdao, an 89,000-ton cargo vessel, had lost propulsion around 8:30 pm while passing through the Kill Van Kull waterway – a shipping lane between Staten Island and Bayonne, New Jersey. According to images shared on social media by John Konrad, the CEO of the maritime news outlet gCaptain, the ship was seen floating dangerously close to the Brooklyn-Staten Island connector bridge.
BREAKING: A NY tugboat captain has reported to @gCaptain “container ship APL QINGDAO lost power while transiting New York harbor. They had 3 escort tugs but 3 more were needed to bring her under control. They regained power & were brought to anchor near the verrazano bridge” pic.twitter.com/Z2IP04xmLs
— John Ʌ Konrad V (@johnkonrad) April 7, 2024
To prevent any further risks, three tug boats that were escorting the APL Qingdao immediately guided the vessel until it regained propulsion a short while later. Fortunately, there were no casualties or major damage reported from this incident.
The Kill Van Kull waterway, a narrow 3-mile-long strait, is one of the busiest shipping lanes for the Port of New York and New Jersey, with significant port activities occurring in Newark Bay and Upper New York Bay. The area is home to the Port Newark Container Terminal, handling a large volume of cargo traffic every day.
Speaking of recent accidents involving cargo ships and bridges, another incident occurred in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, on March 30 when a barge crashed into a bridge, causing some damage to the bridge’s pillars. Thankfully, there were no significant consequences, but the incident highlights the potential dangers associated with maritime transportation and the importance of safe navigation.
🚨#BREAKING: A large barge crashed into the Arkansas River bridge, causing damage to both the ship and the bridge pillar
Earlier this evening, just before 1:30 p.m., a large barge crashed into and struck the Arkansas River bridge at the Kerr Reservoir… pic.twitter.com/ZP8ElYStpL
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 30, 2024
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which has been in use since 1977, will now need to be rebuilt, which could potentially take years and cost around $400 million. This tragic incident has shed light on the importance of regular maintenance and safety protocols for bridges and cargo ships to ensure the safety of the public and the smooth functioning of transportation systems. Both the Baltimore and New York incidents are under investigation, and authorities are working on implementing tighter regulations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In the wake of these accidents, maritime authorities and shipping companies are re-evaluating their safety procedures and protocols to prevent any future mishaps. The maritime industry plays a crucial role in global trade, and it is essential to prioritize safety and strict adherence to regulations to prevent any potential disasters. While these incidents are certainly concerning, it is important to note that accidents do happen, and it is the responsibility of all parties involved to work together to prevent them and minimize their impact.
