Bridge collapse will interfere with supply chain

To reduce potential harm to the economy, regional state and federal authorities are rushing to reroute shipments heading to the port of Baltimore.

Cary Davis is CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities.

He says customers ought to not be concerned the rate of products will surge thanks to a resistant post pandemic U.S. supply chain. He says neighboring ports have the capacity to handle the rerouted shipments heading their method.

"Even though the channel might be closed the landside operations at the port are in fact working," says Davis.

The Baltimore port is a multibillion-dollar center for foreign car imports, construction machinery, sugar and is the 2nd largest exporter for American coal.

Davis anticipates the channel will reopen in between 3 to 6 weeks.

Scott Cowan, the President of Local 333, International Longshoremen's Association in the Port of Baltimore, says that timeline is not fast enough for the thousands post workers reliant on shipments.

"I need assistance now, my people require aid now," says Cowan.

Because the bridge collapse, he says already 2,000 port workers are losing their incomes and he says the state's economy is in even larger problem.

"Maryland loses $109 million a day when the channels close," says Cowan.

Shailen Batt, the Federal Highway Administrator, states the Department of Transportation and the state of Maryland are considering offering resources to help employees who lose salaries.

"The financial wellness of employees is top of mind for the Biden Administration for the Moore administration," says Batt.

Batt states since there is a continuous examination and recovery operation it remains unclear when the port will resume.