CSX and Norfolk Southern expect to resume normal export coal operations at the port of Baltimore in the coming days now that the 50-foot shipping channel has been reopened in the wake of the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The March 26 collapse of the bridge following a ship strike blocked marine access to CSX’s Curtis Bay piers and Consol Energy’s coal terminal in Baltimore Harbor. The container ship that struck the bridge, the Dali, was refloated and taken to port earlier this week, clearing the way for larger vessels to reach the Baltimore Harbor via the Patapsco River.
CSX began operating two coal trains per day to the Curtis Bay pier 10 days ago. When word came yesterday that the full channel was open, CSX was ready.
“We should see a return to full volumes as soon as next week,” Chief Financial Officer Sean Pelkey said on an investor webcast this morning. The railroad expects volume to ramp up to three coal trains per day. sending three coal trains per day to the Baltimore facility.
Norfolk Southern said last week that it is beginning to shift coal exports back to Baltimore. The railroad set up detour moves to its Lamberts Point terminal in Norfolk, Va., shortly after the bridge disaster.
The railroad continues to deliver coal bound for ships due to arrive at Lamberts Point this month and expects Baltimore operations to return to normal by the end of May.
CSX and NS both scrambled to provide alternative export options for their coal customers after the bridge collapse.
After a shallow draft channel was opened a few weeks ago, CSX partnered with a third-party barge company to mid-stream coal from Curtis Bay to Annapolis, Md., where the coal was then transloaded into large vessels for export.
CSX also performed maintenance work at Curtis Bay during the recovery period that will increase the site’s resiliency and allow the company to push additional volume through the terminal this year.
CSX released a video yesterday regarding its efforts to resume coal service to Baltimore.
