Port of Baltimore closure due to bridge collapse a major disruption warns Chamber of Commerce

MARYLAND – The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and the subsequent closure of the Port of Baltimore could mean major upheavals for supply chains and commerce on Delmarva.

Despite the Biden Administration pledging to help pay the full cost of bridge repair, the economic damage could be large-scale and baked in due to the closure of the port, and redirection of traffic says Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce President Bill Chambers.

He says that industries in Delmarva like car dealers, agriculture, and the healthcare system rely on commerce that comes through the port, and even if that cargo reroutes, that would come at the cost of one of Maryland’s top economic drivers at a time when the state already is heading into a budget deficit.

“The commodities that flow through the port are big items for consumers of Maryland, from automobiles to heating and air conditioning to lumber to fruits and vegetables from foreign countries, given where we are with the current budget and future budgets this is just timing is never good like a hurricane; this is a hurricane times ten,” Chambers said.

Chambers tells 47ABC  say the City of Salisbury has been in contact with state officials to see any way the Salisbury port can aid in clean-up efforts moving forward.