Baltimore Bridge Collapse Threatens Auto Manufacturing Supply Chain

The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge will present obstacles for auto manufacturers, reports the Detroit Free Press.

Following a 948-foot container ship’s collision with the 1.6-mile bridge around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, the bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River, prompting automakers that utilize the Port of Baltimore to take action.

The Port of Baltimore exports and imports around 750,000 to 850,000 vehicles annually, using haulers that typically carry about 1,000 cars each, as well as parts used for assembling vehicles. According to Bloomberg data, this past month Mazda had the most imports through the port by dollar value, followed by Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Mitsubishi, and Volkswagen.

GM, Ford, and Stellantis use the port mainly for exporting vehicles from North America to Europe. Following the bridge’s collapse, automakers may look to relocate their products to New Jersey, Virginia, or South Carolina to avoid delays. The rerouting will translate into high costs for the companies.

Ford, GM, and Stellantis have all said that they are working on finding alternative shipping routes for their products. While GM spokesman Kevin Kelly doesn’t expect any monumental impacts on their operations, Ford CFO John Lawler has said that supply chains will become longer.

The automakers that will be hit the hardest by the bridge collapse are European companies such as Volvo, Volkswagen Group, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, while Korean automakers are more reliant on southern ports like Savanah, Georgia.