NORFOLK, Va. — Gov. Glenn Youngkin and a group of lawmakers met with officials from the Port of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Transportation to discuss the impacts of the Baltimore bridge collapse.
Friday's briefing comes more than a week after the MV Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to plunge into the water below on March 26. In response, the Port of Virginia reached out to ocean carriers whose vessels were due to call Baltimore and offered the port to discharge cargoes as requested.
RELATED: Key Bridge collapse latest: Port of Virginia processes cargo originally bound for Baltimore
“Today’s briefing of federal leaders, state leaders, and local leaders by officials at the Port of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Transportation helped us understand Virginia’s capacity and assistance in the aftermath of the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse,” the governor wrote in a news release.
Youngkin praised the "incredible professionalism and collaborative interagency and interstate efforts" since the bridge collapse, which he said has kept the supply chain moving.
"Hampton Roads residents and all Virginians can be confident we are prepared to manage this and keep trade moving in the face of unforeseen challenges," Youngkin said.
The other officials who attended the briefing included a mix of state and federal lawmakers, along with local elected officials:
- U.S. Reps. Bobby Scott and Rob Wittman
- State Sens. Louise Lucas, Angelia Williams Graves, Danny Diggs, Christie New Craig and Emily Jordan
- Dels. Bonita Anthony, Jackie Glass, Phil Hernandez, A.C. Cordoza and Cliff Hayes
- Chesapeake Mayor Rick West and Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover
Cargo isn't the only way the Baltimore bridge collapse has affected Hampton Roads: Cruise companies Carnival and Royal Caribbean have relocated some of their Baltimore operations to Norfolk while recovery efforts continue.
Due to the hindered waterways, the Port of Baltimore suspended incoming and outgoing vessel traffic. But efforts are underway to create a temporary channel to restore marine traffic, according to the Associated Press.