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Tanker Strikes CSX Coal Pier in Baltimore Causing Over $5Mil in Damages

Published Aug 31, 2012 3:51 PM by The Maritime Executive

On Saturday, August 25, a tanker destined for another facility struck the Bayside Coal Pier, one of two piers at CSX’s Curtis Bay coal facility in Baltimore. One employee was injured and was treated and released from a local hospital. Appropriate authorities were immediately notified, including the United States Coast Guard, and CSX continues to cooperate with the USCG’s review of the incident.

The company estimates in a federal lawsuit that the crash caused more than $5 million in property damage and lost revenue.

The Bayside pier handles the larger Capesize vessels. The other pier at the facility, called the Curtis Bay pier, handles the smaller Panamax vessels and was not affected by the incident.

CSX is currently evaluating repair requirements at the Bayside pier and is working with customers on interim delivery alternatives.  Accordingly, the company is also still assessing repair and business interruption costs associated with the incident and is pursuing recovery of those costs.

Inchcape Shipping Services says: "MT Wawasan Ruby was headed to Bitumar Pier in Curtis Creek with a pilot onboard and tugs alongside. The vessel missed the channel on the turn and came in contact with the CSX Coal Pier, making substantial damage to both the pier and the shiploader. It is rumoured that the Chesapeake Bay Piers (Bayside) will be out of commission for 3-4 months.

Vessel’s that were scheduled to load out of Bayside will now have to load vessel’s at the B & O Railroad Pier where max draft is 12.8 m. Bayside draft is 14.3 m."

According to the Baltimore Sun, CSX - fearing the ship would leave before it could pursue a claim - won a court order that temporarily detained the vessel. The U.S. District Court in Baltimore allowed the Wawasan Ruby to continue on to Belgium, only after its owner provided a "letter of undertaking" guaranteeing payment if CSX wins a judgment.

The ship's attorney, said the Coast Guard inspected the vessel immediately after the accident and found no problems. CSX stated in court documents that the surveyor it appointed to investigate tried to board the ship to get information but was not allowed on.