The first container ship has made its way through the Port of Baltimore. Four weeks after a ship hit the Francis Scott Key bridge and restricted shipping from the port, a 35-foot channel has been opened. The goal is to open a 50-foot channel by the end of May that allows two-way traffic.

American Sugarbeet Growers Association President Luther Markwart explains that the port is important to the sugar industry due to a refinery located in the harbor. He shared that two vessels unloaded enough sugar for six to eight weeks of inventory before the collapse prevented ship traffic.

While barges could be used to supplement sugar inventory at the refinery, now the channel is open and sugar can once again be moved by ship.

Read more about the Port of Baltimore resuming operations here.