The inaugural vessel successfully navigated through the newly constructed deep-water channel, bypassing the wreckage of the Key Bridge in Baltimore.

The newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore saw its first cargo ship pass through on Thursday, bringing relief after weeks of being stuck in the harbor due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The Balsa 94, a bulk carrier sailing under a Panama flag, successfully navigated the 35-foot channel on its way to St. John, Canada. This milestone signifies a significant progress in the ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts, as salvage crews have been tirelessly working to clear the debris from the harbor entrance. The Balsa 94 is just one of the five stranded vessels expected to utilize the temporary channel, including a loaded car carrier. Additionally, other ships are scheduled to enter the port, which is known for processing a substantial amount of cars and farm equipment. Guided by two tug boats, the vessel smoothly passed through the channel, carefully maneuvering between the red and green buoys that mark its boundaries. As it sailed by the wreckage of the collapsed bridge and the grounded Dali, the massive container ship responsible for the incident, the ship's progress serves as a symbol of hope and recovery for Baltimore's port.

The remnants of the collapsed bridge continue to obstruct various sections of the primary channel in the port. This channel, with a controlling depth of 50 feet (15 meters), is capable of accommodating even the largest cargo and cruise ships. Authorities have made it a priority to establish a temporary channel that is sufficiently deep for the passage of large commercial vessels. This measure is aimed at mitigating the economic consequences resulting from the bridge collapse.

The anticipated arrival of the Balsa 94 in Canada is scheduled for Monday.

Last month, shortly after departing from the Port of Baltimore en route to Sri Lanka, the Dali experienced a power failure and deviated from its course. Tragically, six members of a roadwork crew, all hailing from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, lost their lives in the accident. While four bodies have been retrieved from the submerged wreckage, two individuals are still unaccounted for.

In the vicinity of the south end of the bridge, a memorial honoring the victims has expanded in recent weeks. It comprises six substantial wooden crosses adorned with flags representing the home countries of the victims, alongside personal mementos like hardhats and work boots—symbols of their dedication to supporting their families and pursuing the American dream. A painted canvas backdrop features abstract depictions of the bridge collapse and the subsequent salvage operations, accompanied by heartfelt handwritten messages from the loved ones of the deceased men.

"We aim to convey to the world our presence and compassion," remarked artist Roberto Marquez during his visit to the memorial late Thursday morning. "We are committed to remaining here, actively contributing until all those affected are recovered."

The newly established channel is slated to stay accessible until Monday or Tuesday. Following this, it will be closed once more until approximately May 10th. During this period, crews will be diligently engaged in the process of extracting steel from the Dali and facilitating the refloating of the vessel. Subsequently, officials have indicated that the ship will be guided back into the port.

The depth of 35 feet represents a significant advancement compared to the three other temporary channels that were established in recent weeks. This progress places the cleanup operation slightly ahead of schedule, surpassing earlier expectations set by officials who aimed to open a channel of this depth by the end of April.

Marine traffic is anticipated to return to its regular operation next month following the removal of the ship, thereby leading to the reopening of the port's main channel.

In a court document submitted on Monday, the mayor and city council of Baltimore urged for the full accountability of the Dali's owner and manager regarding the bridge collapse. They emphasized the potentially severe economic repercussions for the region. The port, with its longstanding history dating back to before the nation's inception, has served as a crucial economic engine for both Baltimore and its surrounding areas. Furthermore, the collapse of the bridge has disrupted a significant trucking route along the East Coast.

Authorities have implemented numerous assistance programs aimed at aiding port workers and others whose livelihoods have been impacted by the collapse.

The submission was made in reaction to a preceding petition filed by the two companies, seeking to limit their liability under a provision of maritime law dating back to before the Civil War—an ordinary step in similar cases. A federal court in Maryland will ultimately adjudicate the matter of responsibility and financial obligations. Meanwhile, both the FBI and the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting investigations to ascertain the reasons behind the ship's power failure and collision with the bridge.