In May 2024, the Port of Baltimore experienced a significant event when cruise ships departed for the first time since March 26. The port’s terminal had been blocked due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which tragically resulted in the deaths of six workers. The rebuilding of the bridge is projected to take four years and could have a price tag of up to $1.9 billion.
Despite the recent tragedy, cruise ships are once again setting sail from Baltimore. The Royal Caribbean ship Vision of the Seas departed for Bermuda, while the Carnival Cruise ship Pride embarked on a journey to Greenland and Canada. These voyages mark a significant milestone for the port, signaling its return to operation following the bridge collapse.
Jonathan Daniels, the port’s director, emphasized the importance of this recovery process in a video posted on X. Over the past two months, he has been working diligently with his team at Port Cove Marina & Hotel to overcome the challenges presented by the bridge collapse and get their terminal back up and running. He highlighted that their main priority is ensuring that safety measures are in place so that passengers can feel confident sailing from Baltimore again.
The reconstruction project for the Francis Scott Key Bridge is expected to be a lengthy endeavor, spanning four years and costing an estimated $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion. Despite this significant undertaking ahead, Daniels remains determined to continue serving as a vital hub for tourism and commerce in Maryland.
The Port of Baltimore has always been an important gateway for tourism and commerce in Maryland, providing visitors with access to some of America’s most historic sites such as Fort McHenry National Monumental Park and Oriole Park at Camden Yards. With its return to operation after two months of closure due to bridge collapse tragedy, it continues its commitment towards providing safe passage through its waters while contributing positively towards Maryland’s economy.
In conclusion, it’s great news that cruise ships are once again setting sail from Baltimore after two months of closure due to bridge collapse tragedy. The Port’s recovery efforts have been successful in restoring operations back at full speed without compromising safety standards. With Jonathan Daniels leading these efforts along with his team at Port Cove Marina & Hotel
