Maersk is keeping a close eye on the cleanup progress at the Port of Baltimore following the bridge collapse. They might be able to give a timeline for returning to the port within the next week, with services possibly resuming by the end of the month.
The decision to reopen the port rests with Unified Command. If things go well, Maersk ships could be back at Baltimore by late May or early June. So far, less than 200 containers have been removed from the stranded ship, and there are no immediate plans for more until they can float it into the port.
The situation adds to the challenges Maersk and the supply chain are already facing, including longer routes due to Red Sea diversions. Shipping costs have gone up, affecting consumers. However, despite these obstacles, Maersk sees 2024 as a year of growth, especially in North America.
They’ve noticed a significant increase in freight orders from Asia to the U.S. and are expanding their operations in Mexico. Peak shipping season is expected to be normal in terms of volume, with no major slowdowns anticipated.
