Dali Cargo Ship Salvage: Baltimore Bridge Collapse Response Sets New Standards

On March 26, 2024, the maritime industry faced one of its most challenging salvage operations when the container ship Dali suffered catastrophic power outages and struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the main spans to collapse. The incident tragically claimed six construction workers' lives and created an unprecedented salvage challenge.

The operation involved more than 50 salvage divers and 12 cranes working to cut and remove bridge sections from the key waterway. The vessel remained stuck for almost two months, with a massive steel truss draped across its damaged bow. Response crews began removing shipping containers using a floating crane barge on April 7, ultimately removing more than 180 containers from the bow.

A critical milestone came on May 13 when authorities executed a controlled demolition using explosives to remove bridge wreckage resting on the ship. This precision operation required careful planning to avoid further damage to the vessel while clearing the obstruction. The Dali was successfully refloated on May 20 and guided back to port.

On June 24, nearly three months after the incident, the Dali departed Baltimore for Virginia under its own power with a full crew of 22 and six salvage experts aboard. The operation showcased advanced salvage techniques and inter-agency coordination, setting new benchmarks for emergency response in urban port environments.

The successful salvage operation minimized disruption to one of America's busiest ports and demonstrated the critical importance of rapid response capabilities and specialized equipment in major maritime incidents. Industry experts note this operation will likely influence future emergency response planning and salvage protocols worldwide.