The US Coast Guard released its Board of Inquiry (BOI) report into the March 2024 allision between Dali and Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, calling for improvements to port risk assessment and critical infrastructure resilience.
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The Ports and Waterways Safety Act Board of Inquiry examined the risks posed to critical port infrastructure by larger commercial vessels and increased vessel traffic. It also assessed vulnerabilities across 11 ports and reviewed the effectiveness of the Coast Guard’s existing waterway risk assessment tools.
The Board visited ports, consulted industry and port stakeholders, analysed vessel movements and reviewed previous use of risk assessment tools. It also conducted a policy review and gathered feedback from 41 Captains of the port zones.
The process resulted in 20 recommendations aimed at strengthening risk management across the US Marine Transportation System (MTS).
The report found that existing waterway risk assessment tools are underused and that port infrastructure faces evolving risks that are not always adequately accounted for. It also identified a growing assumption of unanticipated risk by port authorities.
Among its recommendations, the Board called for the Coast Guard to review and update its risk assessment policies and tools, establish and monitor MTS performance metrics, strengthen workforce capabilities for managing maritime system risks and work more closely with port partners on mitigation measures.
Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin, Chair of the Board of Inquiry, said: “The tragic Key Bridge incident underscores the urgent need to strengthen our approach to port safety and risk management. The Board’s findings and recommendations provide a roadmap to enhance the resilience of our ports and ensure the continued security of the Marine Transportation System.”
The Coast Guard said implementing the recommendations will be important to strengthening the long-term safety and security of the US MTS and reducing the potential impact of future disruptions on the wider shipping economy.
Stakeholders have until 28 February 2027 to submit comments on the findings and recommendations to the Coast Guard. The agency will use the feedback to assess the BOI recommendations and prepare a Commandant’s Final Action Memorandum.
The memorandum is expected to be released publicly in August 2027 and will set out the actions the Coast Guard intends to take in response to the Board’s findings.