Last month’s Baltimore bridge collision was a preventable tragedy caused by a systematic failure to implement adequate safeguards and a long-term lack of investment in infrastructure, according to Brandon Fried, executive director of the US Airforwarders Association, which represents hundreds of companies involved in moving cargo across the global supply chain.
He said lessons had not been learned from earlier incidents, such as the collision with the Tampa Sunshine Skyway Bridge in 1980, which underscored the need for protective barriers to safeguard against ship collisions.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge’s support towers did not have protective barriers.
“As we grapple with the immediate repercussions, it is imperative that we also reflect on the systemic failures that contributed to this avoidable catastrophe and confront the glaring lack of preventive measures that could have averted this disaster.
“The failure to implement adequate safeguards raises serious questions about the oversight and accountability of both Federal and State authorities.
“Why were warnings from the past disregarded?
“Why were proactive measures not taken to protect critical infrastructure and the lives of those who rely on it?
“These are questions that demand answers and accountability,” he said.
It was important to learn from mistakes of the past and take decisive action to prevent similar tragedies in the future, he added.
“The safety and resilience of our infrastructure and supply chains depend on our willingness to confront shortcomings and implement necessary reforms.”
Fried added that, as supply chains were disrupted along the US East Coast, with ships destined for Baltimore forced to reroute to alternative ports, the impact of the diversion would affect businesses, workers, and consumers alike.
“Cargo stranded within the Port of Baltimore compounds the challenge, necessitating swift action to retrieve containers and find alternative transportation routes.”
