Update: Port of Baltimore Operational Disruptions

On April 4, 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it expects to open a new channel to the Port of Baltimore by the end of April freeing up commercial shipping blocked by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge which occurred on March 26, 2024. Access at all capacity is expected by the end of May.

U.S. Import Cargo in Baltimore Terminal:
All US import cargo in the terminal may be picked up as usual.

Import Cargo Destined to Baltimore:
All vessels with import cargo destined to Baltimore are being diverted to other East Coast ports including New York, New Jersey, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Charleston, and Savannah.  It is important to coordinate with the carriers to determine where your cargo will be offloaded and make alternative plans to pick up according to Customs and Border Patrol, vessel arrival notices and manifest updates are now mandatory for vessels already at the port, transporting cargo slated for subsequent U.S. ports. For U.S. origin cargo, additional approvals concerning the Jones Act may be required.

For cargo booked and not yet loaded at origin, please check with the carrier for alternative routing options.

U.S. Export Cargo from Baltimore Terminal:
All export cargo that is currently at the terminal will remain there until the port reopens, unless instructed otherwise by the shipper.

For cargo that was in-transit to Baltimore, please note the terminal stopped receiving new export cargo as of March 26th at 11:00 am.  Please contact the carrier to make arrangements to reroute your cargo to an alternative port.  Costs for re-routing cargo to an alternate load port will be for the account of the shipper.

East Coast Ports and Terminals:
East Coast ports are amending their hours of operation to accommodate loading and unloading of the additional vessel’s being diverted from Balitmore.  Please check with the terminals to stay up to date on these changing hours of operation.

Trucking and Distribution Challenges:
The Port of Baltimore closure presents unforeseen hurdles for mid-Atlantic trucking and distribution networks. Importers using Baltimore are advised to reconsider their inland distribution strategies due to the closure. Shippers are tasked with repositioning equipment, sourcing chassis, and drivers to facilitate freight diversion from Baltimore to their respective distribution networks.

Chassis Migration Rules:
Noatum would like to reiterate that intermodal chassis providers’ migration rules remain in force. Pool chassis removed from their origin point must be returned to a valid start/stop location to avoid incurring daily usage charges and potential migration fees.

Our Commitment to Support:
At Noatum Logistics, we recognize the critical importance of ensuring the continuity of your supply chain operations. We are actively monitoring developments and collaborating closely with our partners to mitigate disruptions and devise solutions for your cargo shipments. Our dedicated customer support team remains available to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding cargo impacted by these operational disruptions.

If you have any questions, please contact your local Noatum Logistics representative.