A bridge collapse in America disrupted the supply chain

According to Tasnim news agency, citing Rashatoudi, the collapse of the “Francis Scott Key” bridge in the city of Baltimore, USA, which cut off the access of the Atlantic Ocean routes to the main port of this city, caused severe disruptions in the transportation and supply chain of this country and may have an effect. have a domino effect on global supply chains.

The four-lane bridge collapsed on Tuesday after a Singaporean-flagged container ship Dolly, part of Danish shipping giant Maersk's fleet, collided with it.

As a result of the incident, a large portion of the 1.6-mile (2.6 km) bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River, and several vehicles fell about 55 meters into the water, killing several people.

Built in the 1970s, the Francis Scott Key Bridge spans the Patapsco River and is the only crossing that connects America's ninth largest commercial port to the Atlantic Ocean. The Port of Baltimore is the country's busiest sea terminal for vehicle exports.

According to Maryland Governor Wes Moore, no other port in the country imports more vehicles than Baltimore, with more than 850,000 cars and light trucks moving in and out annually. Parts used in the assembly of cars also pass through this port or over the bridge.

This port, which is the main transportation center on the east coast, also handles the transit of a significant amount of coal.

Data from the S&P Global institute shows that in the second quarter of 2023, the port's facilities ranked second in terms of the most coal exports.

According to reports, 10 ships are stuck inside this port because the collapsed bridge is the only way in and out of this port. 30 small cargo ships, tugboats and other ships are also locked in this port. Nearly 40 ships bound for Baltimore were also forced to reroute.

US President Joe Biden emphasized that the bridge is vital to the country's economy, citing concerns about transportation and businesses related to the port.

He stated that the port of Baltimore supports about 15,000 jobs and more than 30,000 vehicles use the port's bridge every day.

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