Dali Container Ship Collision at Baltimore Bridge Explained

The Dali container ship collision at the Baltimore bridge was a significant maritime incident that left many wondering what exactly happened. The ship's route took it through the busy shipping lanes of the Chesapeake Bay.

The Dali was a Panamanian-flagged container ship, measuring 656 feet in length and 98 feet in beam, with a gross tonnage of 64,000 tons.

The collision occurred on a clear day with good visibility, and eyewitnesses reported seeing the ship strike the bridge's support piers.

The Dali cargo ship was moving at about 8 knots, or 9 mph (15 kph), when it rammed one of the bridge's columns.

The crew sent a mayday call early Tuesday saying they had lost power and had no control of the steering system, which gave authorities just enough time to stop bridge traffic and likely prevent more deaths.

The ship had passed a June 2023 inspection in Chile, where a faulty pressure gauge for the fuel heaters was identified but fixed before the vessel left the port.

All of the nearly two dozen crew members from the Dali were accounted for after the accident, with one taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

The Baltimore bridge collision was a devastating incident that left two construction workers dead. The Dali cargo ship, which was traveling at 8 knots or 9 mph, lost power and had no control of its steering system, causing it to ram one of the bridge's columns.

The ship's crew sent out a mayday call, giving authorities just enough time to stop bridge traffic and prevent further potential deaths. However, it wasn't enough time to clear the construction crew that was working on the bridge.

The Dali passed a June 2023 inspection in Chile, where a faulty pressure gauge for the fuel heaters was identified and fixed before leaving the port. The ship also underwent routine engine maintenance before leaving Baltimore.

The Coast Guard has downloaded the voyage data recorder and sent it to the National Transportation Safety Board, which is building a timeline of what led to the crash. A preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks.

At least 13 containers on the ship were damaged, and officials need to assess the damage to the Dali to ensure it doesn't leak fuel or sink.

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The Dali ship was being towed to a marine terminal for temporary repairs after it collided with a pier supporting the Key Bridge in Baltimore.

The collision occurred on March 26, and the ship had been grounded for nearly two months before being moved.

A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report found that the ship had issues with its electrical system prior to the accident.

The Dali will undergo temporary repairs in the port for several weeks before being moved to a shipyard for more substantial repairs.

The ship's crew members have been unable to leave the vessel since the disaster, but will be able to disembark once the Dali is docked in Baltimore.

Worth a look: Dali Cargo Ship Leaves Baltimore

The Dali container ship is a Neopanamax vessel with a length of 299.92 metres and a beam of 48.2 metres.

It has a container capacity of 9,971 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) and is propelled by a single low-speed two-stroke crosshead diesel engine coupled to a fixed-pitch propeller.

The ship's main engine is a 9-cylinder MAN-B&W 9S90ME-C9.2 unit, rated 41,480 kW at 82.5rpm, and its service speed is 22 knots.

Dali has a single 3,000 kW bow thruster for maneuvering and is equipped with two 3,840 kW and two 4,400 kW auxiliary diesel generators to generate electricity onboard.

The ship was inspected in the port of San Antonio, Chile, in June 2023 and in the United States three months later, with no problems identified.

Dali is a Neopanamax container ship with a length of 299.92 meters.

She was built in 2015 and is currently sailing under the flag of Singapore.

Dali's gross tonnage is 91,128, and her deadweight tonnage is 116,851 tonnes.

Her container capacity is 9,971 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).

Here is a summary of Dali's vessel particulars:

Dali was delivered to Stellar Marine LLC in 2015 and registered in Majuro, Marshall Islands.

The ship was sold to Grace Ocean Pte. Ltd. in October 2016 and reflagged in Singapore.

It's worth noting that the ship has been chartered to Maersk since its delivery in 2015.

Dali collided with the berth at the container terminal in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium on July 11, 2016, causing significant damage.

The ship underwent repairs at China's Fujian Huadong Shipyard from November 2016 to January 2023.

After a two-month journey, Dali began sea trials on January 12, 2023.

The ship was returned to service on January 21, 2023, under the management of Synergy Marine and assigned to Maersk's AC3 route.

On a similar theme: Maersk Line Container

The Dali container ship is a massive vessel, measuring 334 meters in length and 32 meters in width. It has a capacity to carry over 13,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

Its impressive size and cargo capacity allow it to transport a large volume of goods across the globe. The ship's container capacity is a significant advantage in the shipping industry.

The Dali is powered by a diesel engine, which provides the necessary propulsion to move the ship through the water. Its engine produces 69,000 horsepower.

The ship's speed is an important factor in its efficiency and effectiveness. The Dali can reach a speed of up to 25.5 knots.

Its advanced navigation system and experienced crew enable the ship to navigate through even the most challenging waters.