What the Ship (Ep 104: The Maritime Day Edition) | Dali and Baltimore | US Ports | Red Sea

Summary

In this special May 22nd, 2024 edition of 'What the Ship', host Salmer Kagano discusses the refloating of the motor vessel Dolly and its implications on the US Maritime industry. The channel highlights the Baltimore port's 24/7 reopening, new regulations requiring tugs and state pilots, and the salvage efforts captured by Dead Rise Marine Photography. The script also addresses the broader maritime scene, including the impact of tariffs, cyber security threats, and the challenges faced by US Merchant Mariners in contested regions like the Red Sea. The episode concludes with a tribute to mariners on National Maritime Day, emphasizing their crucial yet underappreciated role in global commerce.

Takeaways

• 🚢 The motor vessel Dolly was successfully refloated and moved back to Baltimore with the help of five tugs from Mallister and Moran.
• 🛳️ The channel to and from Baltimore has been reopened 24/7 with a 400-foot width and 50-foot draft, following the accident involving Dolly.
• 📋 New rules by the captain of the port now require all vessels to have a Maryland state pilot and two escorting tugs when passing through the area.
• 📸 Deadrise Marine Photography on Instagram captured significant images of the salvage operation, showing the damage and efforts to remove debris from Dolly.
• ⚓ Dolly is currently without operable anchors, which is a significant issue for a ship that cannot sail into harbors without them.
• 🌉 The salvage of Dolly involved removing the bridge structure and other materials from the bow, which was not designed to support such weight.
• 🚧 The port of Brunswick, Georgia set a new record for the movement of roll-on/roll-off cargo, positioning itself as a key port in the Southeast.
• 🛃 Portland's container terminal, which was planned to shut down in October, will remain operational thanks to state funding allocated by Oregon.
• 💻 The port of South Carolina experienced a shutdown due to software issues, highlighting the vulnerability of ports to cyber attacks and technical glitches.
• 🦅 The US is imposing tariffs on Chinese-built ship-to-shore cranes from ZPMC due to security concerns over undisclosed modems in some cranes.
• ⚓ The Bob El Mandeb, a strait in the Red Sea, has seen a significant reduction in ships and tonnage passing through due to the threat from the Houthi rebels.

Q & A

What was the significant event that took place with the motor vessel Dolly?

The motor vessel Dolly was refloated and moved across the channel back to Baltimore with the help of five tugs from Mallister and Moran.

What is the current status of the channel to and from Baltimore?

The channel to and from Baltimore is now open 24/7 with a 400-foot width and a 50-foot draft, returning to the previous draft before the accident.

What are the new rules set by the captain of the port for vessels passing through the area?

Under the new rules, all vessels will need a Maryland state pilot and two escorting tugs when coming through the area. There will also be a continued speed limit and a minimum 3-foot under clearance requirement.

What is the current situation with the containers on board Dolly?

The containers on board Dolly, which were crushed under the weight of the bridge, have not yet been moved. The focus is on removing the roadway and concrete off the bow before addressing the containers.

Why is the ship Dolly unlikely to go to sea?

Dolly's bow compartment is compromised and open to the sea, and it probably does not have any operable anchors. Without anchors, the ship cannot sail into harbors.

What is the scale of the damage to Dolly and its current draft?

The damage to Dolly is significant, with a severe gash in the bow and the ship's starboard side also severely damaged. The ship is currently drawing about 13 meters of water, which is approximately 42 feet.

What is the fate of the cargo on Dolly?

The cargo on Dolly is expected to be offloaded, with half to two-thirds of the containers having cargo heading to Asia. The shippers will want this cargo sent on other ships crossing to Asia.

What happened at the Port of Brunswick in Georgia?

The Port of Brunswick in Georgia set a new record for the movement of roll-on/roll-off cargo. It has become the go-to roll-on/roll-off port in the Southeastern United States.

Why was the Port of Portland's Container Terminal 6 at risk of shutting down?

The Port of Portland was set to shut down its Container Terminal 6 due to financial losses. However, the state of Oregon allocated state funds to maintain the container port.

What caused the temporary closure of the Port of South Carolina's ports?

A software issue, possibly a malware or virus, was uploaded into the system of the South Carolina ports, effectively shutting down the port of Charleston and the inland ports.

What is the impact of the houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea?

The houthi attacks have led to a significant reduction in the number of ships and tonnage passing through the region. Many ocean carriers, including US flagged vessels, have chosen to divert and go around Africa to avoid the area.

What recognition did tugboat captains receive on National Maritime Day?

Governor Wes Moore of Maryland recognized the efforts of tugboat captains John Shellenberger and Wesley Southworth for their work in moving the Dolly back to the Seagirt Marine Terminal.