Vessel traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore鈥攚hich contributes $15 million a day in economic activity,聽聽reports鈥攚as suspended Tuesday after a container ship hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early morning. The collision caused the bridge to collapse, sending at least seven vehicles and their occupants into the Patapsco River, according to聽the 听(蝉耻产蝉肠谤颈辫迟颈辞苍).

What鈥檚 going on: 鈥淥fficials, who spoke amid a continuing and massive search and rescue mission, said the port was not shut down and remained open to process trucks inside terminals.鈥�

• Other ports are likely to be able to absorb container ships headed for Baltimore, (subscription) reports.

Why it鈥檚 important: 鈥淭he port, which generates more than 15,300 direct jobs, had rebounded from global supply chain difficulties and disruptions during the coronavirus pandemic and hit records last year for handling cargo,鈥� according to the Baltimore Sun. 鈥淚t is the nation鈥檚 16th busiest port, ranking first for volume of autos and light trucks, roll-on/roll-off heavy farm and construction machinery, imported sugar and imported gypsum.鈥�

• Baltimore is the closest Atlantic port to major Midwestern manufacturing hubs.
• Truckers are concerned about increased congestion resulting from the closure, 鈥減articularly because deliveries such as hazardous material loads cannot travel through Interstate 895 or I-95 tunnels.鈥� Trucking companies are already warning customers of delays for shipments going through the Mid-Atlantic, according to (subscription).
• In addition to affecting consumers in the Baltimore area, the traffic stoppage is likely to affect jobs at the port.