A number of major automakers, such as General Motors, Toyota, and the Volkswagen Group, rely on the Port of Baltimore for shipping vehicles along the east coast of the United States. However, with the recent closure of the port, these automakers are now seeking alternative ports for importing and exporting vehicles.
For example, General Motors exports vehicles to South America and America through Baltimore, so they will need to find new routes. Ford's chief financial officer, John Lawler, mentioned in a Bloomberg Television interview that Ford is redirecting auto parts to other East Coast ports, which may lead to a slight lengthening of the supply chain.
Even automakers not directly impacted by the port closure could face challenges due to truck traffic disruptions. Volkswagen's shipping facility in Baltimore, located on the eastern side of the bridge, still has access to the ocean. Volkswagen stated that they processed around 100,000 vehicles through Baltimore last year for US dealers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. While they do not expect any impact on vessel operations, they anticipate trucking delays as traffic is rerouted in the area.
