Port experts told ABC13 it would be nearly impossible for the situation in Baltimore to play out at the Port of Houston bridges. Here's why engineers commend pylons for being the safety factor, avoiding collapses.
Can cargo ships hit Houston bridges? Port experts and engineers answer questions arising since Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed.After the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge over their ship channel, ABC13 is checking in with Port Houston and the safety measures in place to prevent a similar tragedy.
A large cargo ship appeared to lose power, making a direct hit with a bridge support beam, sending the structure, equipment, and people into the frigid water below.Nagarajaiah said it would be near impossible for the situation in Baltimore to play out at the Port of Houston bridges. The Francis Scott Key Bridge support beams are in 20- to 30-foot water, deep enough for a large cargo ship to stay afloat.
"A vessel that size, 900 feet in length - and by the way, we can take vessels up to 1,100 feet in the Houston Ship Channel - but a vessel that size, depending on the cargo, is going to be drafting somewhere between 10, 15, 20 feet, right? I mentioned those pylons are in two to three feet of water. It's going to be almost impossible for a vessel in our area to hit those pylons," Greater Houston Port Bureau president, Capt. Eric Carrero, said.
"He was trying to steer away from the pier, most likely, but you know ships are huge. They don't steer instantly. They need time to steer, and we'll have to see the investigation to see what really happened," Nagarajaiah said.Project 11, a Port Houston ship channel widening project, will allow larger ships into the port, but it's also touted as a safety improvement project.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Logistics companies scramble after bridge collapse closes Port of Baltimore until further noticeBaltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after the 10,000 container-capacity vessel Dali collided with a bridge pillar. Rescue efforts are underway.
Read more »
Baltimore bridge collapse and port closure send companies scrambling to reroute cargoThe stunning collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge is diverting shipping and trucking around one of the busiest ports on America’s East Coast.
Read more »
Gov. Hochul offers assistance of New York Harbor after Baltimore bridge collapse shuts down portThe collapse could create a logistical nightmare for months, if not years, along the East Coast, shutting down ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore and snarling cargo and commuter traffic.
Read more »
Biden pledges to rebuild Baltimore Key Bridge, reopen portPresident Joe Biden pledged the federal government's support after a cargo ship rammed the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning outside of Baltimore, causing the span to buckle and plunge into the water below.
Read more »
Mercedes, GM, Stellantis scramble; Port jobs are at risk after Baltimore disasterBaltimore's port isn't one of the nation's largest, and some goods can be rerouted. But some auto companies are having to scramble, and the bridge disaster could spell trouble for local jobs.
Read more »
How the Baltimore bridge collapse could affect Philadelphia’s port and your commuteWhile the impact on Philadelphia remains to be seen, here’s what we know so far.
Read more »