Baltimore Bridge Collapse: U.S. Coal Export Disruptions

The collapse of the Baltimore Bridge on March 26, 2024, temporarily suspended vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore, until it reopened on June 12, 2024. The United States is the world’s third largest coal exporter and Baltimore is the second-largest coal export hub in the United States. Shipping delays and supply disruptions drove up prices as exporters had to pursue alternative shipping routes. This Executive Briefing examines the state of coal trade before the bridge collapse and its early impacts.