U.S. Coast Guard Inquiry Reveals Growing Risks in Ports from Larger Ships
The U.S. Coast Guard has released a comprehensive review of risks to critical U.S. port infrastructure, prompted by the 2024 collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. The inquiry, conducted by the Ports and Waterways Safety Act Board, found that existing risk assessment tools are underutilized, even as commercial vessels continue to increase in size and port operations become more complex. The Board evaluated 11 port areas, including major hubs like Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, and Houston/Galveston. A key finding was that deepwater channels and bridges are considered the most critical infrastructure by maritime stakeholders. Ports consistently reported handling larger commercial vessels than a decade ago, alongside increased commercial and recreational traffic. Bridge allisions were identified as the most common worst-case scenario in eight of the studied ports, with vessel collisions and major natural disasters also frequently cited. The report highlights a mismatch between aging ... 
