National Security Risks From Baltimore Bridge Destruction
AENN
MOUNTAINTOPTIMES
APR 01, 2024
The MV Dalli container ship destruction of the Francis Scott Key bridge highlights huge national security risks associated with antiquated US shipping facilities. Although initial analysis points to crew error, the event will serve as a strategic playbook for foreign adversary state sponsored terrorists to inflict significant economic and military damage on America.
Globalism allowed California ports to capture over 60% of US container shipping for three decades. But California ports have been suffering deteriorating efficiency due to regular union labor work stoppages, California AB-5 restrictions against independent contractors, and extreme environmental regulations driving up handling and transportation costs.
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East and Gulf Coast ports volumes caught up by taking market share following a 2017 Panama Canal expansion to allow Neo Panamax ships that can carry 14,000 containers, and will eventually capture about 60% of volumes when Panama stops suffering from a cyclical El Nino drought.
The bridge strike coming just four days after the Moscow concert hall terrorist attack that killed 143, sent shutters across intelligence networks that the bridge strike may state sponsored terror.
The Port of Baltimore by moving 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo $80.8 billion is only America’s 14th largest port. But it is the largest port for roll on/roll off vehicle handling and a top national dry bulk carrier for coal, soybeans, pharmaceuticals, metals, textiles, animal feed, gypsum and sugar.
The port also is home to the Surface Forces Logistics Center that is the main US logistics provider for Atlantic force projection from 30 regional military bases via 2 US Fast Sealift Support (FSS) roll on/ roll off vessels that can rapidly deliver expeditionary multiple tank brigades at 33 knots.
Singapore is an absolutely key U.S. ally because it is at the choke point for access to the Malacca Straight that is fastest route for Asian access to Middle East oil. Allied with American and Australian naval forces, China risks economic strangulation.
The Singapore-flagged Dali at 985 feet and was carrying almost 5,000 containers and had passed two foreign port state inspections in June and September 2023, according to Singapore Maritime authorities.
The vessel due to size and narrowness of the channel undoubtedly had a Baltimore Port senior licensed pilot on board when it was assisted by two tugs to back out. The ship got under power and released the tugs to move normally at 8.7 knots toward the Key Bridge exit to the Atlantic Ocean. The ship propulsion propeller turning standard clockwise from the stern would mean that without rudder power would tend to turn to port (left).
The vessel appeared to lose power and go completely dark at 1:24 am and 32 seconds, probably due by switch-board or main power generation system failure. The chief engineer and duty engineer in the pitch black engine room would have waited for the emergency generator to kick on within the required 45 seconds. At 1:24 and 59 seconds, the alarm sounds and lights came back meaning the emergency generator acted normally.
The video shows that 11 seconds later lots of black smoke came up from the exhaust, indicating the engine was being put under a lot of load. This would indicate that instead of continuing to steer with normal rudder, the ship was put into full stern power crash mode where the engine reverses the propeller. This would cause a paddle wheel effect from reversed propeller turning the stern to port (left) and the bow to starboard (right).
When the ship called for tugs at 1:26 and 39 seconds it had slowed to 7.6 knots, but would have coasted for 5 miles before stopping. The lights went dark for 33 seconds, meaning the crew could not steer the rudder. The ship’s powerful side-thrusters would not have been ineffective over 3 knots.
After a four minute and 28 second crisis, the Dali hit the Key bridge at 1:29 am, causing about a mile of the span to fall on the vessel and in the water.
Because the ship hit a structural cement piling, it suffered a huge lateral slash, sunk to the bottom of the channel, and dug up a Baltimore Gas pipeline. Six construction workers on the bridge were died. No crew members were seriously injured, and hazardous materials correctly stored as required in front containers fell on the deck.
Because Baltimore Port is losing $100 million a day, the National Transportation Safety Board Unified Command.
The estimated 31,000 daily commuters and all the commercial traffic that cross the bridge are being rerouted to the I-695 outer loop. Salvage crews removed the first span of span on March 30, limited channel traffic could open in 5-10 days, and full port operations could begin within three months.
Rebuilding Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge could take as little as 18 months and cost about $400 million.
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