Baltimore - The largest crane on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard will be used in the salvage operation of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland's Patapsco River.

The extensive debris from the bridge, weighing up to 4,000 tons, has blocked essential shipping lanes, prompting urgent efforts to clear it and reopen the vital Port of Baltimore.

The closure of the bridge, a route traversed by approximately 30,000 vehicles daily, has disrupted local commuter traffic and impeded the flow of goods through one of the nation's busiest ports. State and federal authorities have mobilized a substantial fleet of equipment and resources to expedite the clearance process.

Seven floating cranes, including one with a lifting capacity of 1,000 tons, stand at the forefront of these efforts. These cranes, alongside 10 tugboats, nine barges, eight salvage vessels, and five Coast Guard boats, are working in tandem to navigate the complexities of the salvage operation with precision and efficiency.

While the primary focus remains on the recovery of the four missing workers, plans are concurrently being developed for the reconstruction of the bridge. These plans incorporate engineering and design methodologies to expedite the restoration process and ensure the long-term resilience of the bridge infrastructure.

President Joe Biden's administration has swiftly approved $60 million in aid to counter the economic impact of the disaster. 

According to a Moody's report, the replacement of the 47-year-old bridge is expected to necessitate "years of work." However, the port, which has recently seen its operations exceed pre-pandemic levels, could potentially reopen within weeks, provided that debris removal is expedited.

The report also highlights the adverse effects of the port's closure, stating that while it remains shut, diversion of automotive imports and other cargo to alternate East Coast ports will erode Baltimore's competitive advantage as the port closest to the Midwest. This situation is particularly detrimental to terminal operators.