Shifting Waters: The Growing Risks of Modern Ships Passing Under Aging Infrastructure

In recent years, the Delaware River has seen an increase in larger and faster container ships, causing concerns among transportation officials about potential accidents similar to the one in 1969 when a tanker truck collided with the Delaware Memorial Bridge. This incident resulted in significant damage and led to the development of a $93 million project to install protective cylinders in front of the bridge pillars to prevent such disasters from happening again.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after a freighter crashed into it has further highlighted the risks associated with modern ships and aging infrastructure. Maritime and transportation experts have been discussing the dangers posed by newer, larger ships passing under bridges, as these ships continue to grow in size.

Michael Rubino, a retired chief pilot, emphasized the challenges of ships with large air drafts that require antennas and masts to be folded to pass under bridges. Joseph Ahlstrom, a ship captain and professor, highlighted the increased likelihood of newer, larger ships causing damage to bridges.

While maritime disasters like the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore are considered rare events, transportation officials are prioritizing strategies to enhance protections around bridges. Efforts to improve bridge safeguards have been seen in various places, including the installation of protection systems and the raising of bridges to accommodate larger ships.

In Delaware, a project to build massive protective cylinders near the Delaware Memorial Bridge reflects ongoing efforts to reinforce infrastructure against potential accidents. Despite such measures, experts suggest that vulnerability assessments around bridges should be conducted periodically to ensure that protection systems are equipped to handle modern threats posed by larger ships.