In the early hours of March 26, 2024, tragedy struck Baltimore, Maryland as a container ship that lost power collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. As a result of the bridge’s collapse, a significant portion of the Port of Baltimore remains inaccessible to shipping traffic. Supply chain disruptions are anticipated.

What Will Be Affected?

According to the National Association of Home Builders, plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood, gypsum, and sawn lumber are the main home building imports that are expected to be impacted. Plywood, veneered panels and similar laminated wood “[represent] 16% of the U.S. total import value for 2023, making it the most important port for plywood imports.”

Gypsum “[represents] 14% of the U.S. total import value for 2023 and the highest level of gypsum imports for any U.S. port. And sawn lumber “[represents] 3% of the U.S. total import value for 2023, making Baltimore the 11th most important port for sawn lumber imports.”

What We Know Now

As of Thursday, April 8, “32 vessels have passed through temporary channels on either side of the wreckage” according to the Associated Press. Captain David O’Connell of the U.S. Coast Guard said “the Unified Command is concurrently progressing on its main lines of effort to remove enough debris to open the channel to larger commercial traffic.” Our team will update this page as the situation continues to unfold in Baltimore.

Header Image: NTSB drone image of Francis Scott Key Bridge and Cargo Ship Dali by NTSBgov via Wikimedia Commons.

RELATED STORIES

• Tips for Choosing and Using Lumber and Sheet Goods
• The Self Design-Builder: Estimating Construction Costs
• Advice For Future Owner-Builders

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Affordable IR Camera

This camera is super useful for tracking down air leaks in buildings. The one-hand pistol grip arrangement frees your other hand for steadying yourself while maneuvering tricky job sites.

Buy at Amazon

8067 All-Weather Flashing Tape

Available in 2- to 12-in. widths, this is a good general-purpose flashing tape that sticks well to most things. It features a two-piece release paper, water-shedding layers, and good UV resistance.

Buy at Amazon

Reliable Crimp Connectors

These reliable, high-quality connectors from Wirefy work on 10-22-gauge wire have heat-shrink insulation to keep out water and road salt.

Buy at Amazon