[Bimmerfun82]

A container ship hit the Francis Scott Key bridge this morning near Baltimore, sending cars and people into the water (!!). Horrible tragedy - I heard 20 people were in the water and they’re still looking for several people. Now they’re calling it a mass casualty event.

https://x.com/courtreporterkg/status...KC6jncqV7R3YLw

Usually the car carriers stop in port at Baltimore and then continue on to Brunswick and over to Galveston. The traffic seems to be anchored until this rescue effort is complete.

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais...ry:38.2/zoom:8

[boss2k]

Today i saw the car picture updated with proper 19/20 wheels , looks great

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

A container ship hit the Francis Scott Key bridge this morning near Baltimore, sending cars and people into the water (!!). Horrible tragedy - I heard 20 people were in the water and they’re still looking for several people. Now they’re calling it a mass casualty event.

https://x.com/courtreporterkg/status...KC6jncqV7R3YLw

Usually the car carriers stop in port at Baltimore and then continue on to Brunswick and over to Galveston. The traffic seems to be anchored until this rescue effort is complete.

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais...ry:38.2/zoom:8

Port traffic has been suspended. Short term they have to work around it. BMW has VPCs in NY/NJ as well as Brunswick. How they can handle the increased volume will drive how much it delays shipments.

Longer term, BMW may recover quicker if they reopen access to VPC at Sparrows Point as it is down river from the bridge. The issue is that while BMW and VW are at Sparrows Point, all the other manufacturer's centers are up river of the bridge at Baltimore and Dundalk. The port announced that there will be no traffic past the bridge until all of the bridge remains are removed which is expected to take months. Since that traffic will need to be re-routed, BMW and VW may be rerouted as well.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by GerryC

Port traffic has been suspended. Short term they have to work around it. BMW has VPCs in NY/NJ as well as Brunswick. How they can handle the increased volume will drive how much it delays shipments.

Longer term, BMW may recover quicker if they reopen access to VPC at Sparrows Point as it is down river from the bridge. The issue is that while BMW and VW are at Sparrows Point, all the other manufacturer's centers are up river of the bridge at Baltimore and Dundalk. Since that traffic will need to be re-routed BMW and VW may be rerouted as well.

Good to know. I heard truck traffic also can’t get out as it relies on the bridge and the tunnel isn’t tall enough. So if your car is at VPC, I’ve heard in the G8x forum it’s likely stuck there for the time being.

[FrostyWinters]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Good to know. I heard truck traffic also can’t get out as it relies on the bridge and the tunnel isn’t tall enough. So if your car is at VPC, I’ve heard in the G8x forum it’s likely stuck there for the time being.

The trucks will have to go the long way around 695. I'm going to avoid Baltimore for the next decade.

[Crion]

My order was finally accepted! How long were most people waiting for a production date?

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

A container ship hit the Francis Scott Key bridge this morning near Baltimore, sending cars and people into the water (!!). Horrible tragedy - I heard 20 people were in the water and they’re still looking for several people. Now they’re calling it a mass casualty event.

https://x.com/courtreporterkg/status...KC6jncqV7R3YLw

Usually the car carriers stop in port at Baltimore and then continue on to Brunswick and over to Galveston. The traffic seems to be anchored until this rescue effort is complete.

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais...ry:38.2/zoom:8

That sucks , is it going to affect delivery of vehicles to USA

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by boss2k

That sucks , is it going to affect delivery of vehicles to USA

Yes. That's the primary port for vehicles in the northeast. The next few weeks will be the most chaotic as they try to figure out the best options. Once they do, it shouldn't add more than a few days to the trip.

Worst case is the alternate ports get backlogged and ships have to wait their turn offshore. The shippers will be working real hard to avoid that as that has a huge impact on their bottom line.

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by GerryC

Yes. That's the primary port for vehicles in the northeast. The next few weeks will be the most chaotic as they try to figure out the best options. Once they do, it shouldn't add more than a few days to the trip.

Worst case is the alternate ports get backlogged and ships have to wait their turn offshore. The shippers will be working real hard to avoid that as that has a huge impact on their bottom line.

What about south east? I am in Atlanta and have PCD delivery expecting within next 2 months

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by boss2k

What about south east? I am in Atlanta and have PCD delivery expecting within next 2 months

I wonder if they’ll skip Baltimore and head to Brunswick instead.

[823BMW]

Originally Posted by boss2k

That sucks , is it going to affect delivery of vehicles to USA

Horrible tragedy and have been reading more about it

It may not impact BMW that much:

“Some automakers got lucky. Volkswagen and BMW both use a terminal by the entrance to Baltimore's harbor, in a part of the port that is not blocked off, and expect no impact beyond short-term traffic snarls for trucks today.”

Mercedes, GM, Stellantis scramble; Port jobs are at risk after Baltimore disaster

https://www.npr.org/2024/03/26/12409...imore-disaster

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by 823BMW

Horrible tragedy and have been reading more about it

It may not impact BMW that much:

“Some automakers got lucky. Volkswagen and BMW both use a terminal by the entrance to Baltimore's harbor, in a part of the port that is not blocked off, and expect no impact beyond short-term traffic snarls for trucks today.”

Mercedes, GM, Stellantis scramble; Port jobs are at risk after Baltimore disaster

https://www.npr.org/2024/03/26/12409...imore-disaster

Interesting. I remembered following the boat my car was on go up the harbor and under the bridge… But actually the boat stopped at a couple other spots in the harbor first. BMW opened on sparrows point, so the cars can go the other way around 695.

https://bimmerlife.com/2022/02/09/bm...-in-baltimore/

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by boss2k

What about south east? I am in Atlanta and have PCD delivery expecting within next 2 months

When I did PCD, it came in through Brunswick - after a stop in Baltimore. I think the issue is that Brunswick isn't that large. If too much traffic gets diverted from Baltimore it may slow down the through put.

They won't set your PCD date until the car is the VPC.

BMW should be in pretty good shape once they get access to their VPC in Baltimore. The problem is much bigger for Stellantis, GM, and Mercedes.

[FrostyWinters]

Originally Posted by Crion

My order was finally accepted! How long were most people waiting for a production date?

My CA told me 1st week of March when the order status turned 111. So if you have an allocation, they should be able to tell you the production date.

[Rcasa20]

Originally Posted by boss2k

What about south east? I am in Atlanta and have PCD delivery expecting within next 2 months

Probably Jacksonville. I know other manufacturers use that port, not sure about BMW. Perhaps another can confirm.

[Kevin45E]

Originally Posted by FrostyWinters

My CA told me 1st week of March when the order status turned 111. So if you have an allocation, they should be able to tell you the production date.

CA should also give you a Production Order Number. You can enter this in the my garage area of the My BMW part of the BMWUSA website. If they don’t have a Production Order Number you don’t have an allocation. This number will also be on the printed out order sheet for your car. The VIN will come later. I have shown my timeline from order entry to waiting for carrier to leave factory in a post about 3 pages back in this thread.

[MisanoblueZ4]

BMW sends out thousands of cars from Charleston SC, see them lined up along the river when we are crossing the bridge into downtown. Wonder since cars can go out if they can also be brought in?

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

BMW sends out thousands of cars from Charleston SC, see them lined up along the river when we are crossing the bridge into downtown. Wonder since cars can go out if they can also be brought in?

Inbound cars go to Brunswick GA. BMW has a large VPC there. I don't think there's enough space to handle both inbound and outbound at Charleston.

But aside from that, here's a statement from BMW:

BMW

A spokesman said in an email to Reuters that the German automaker does not expect any immediate impact other than short term traffic delays.

The company uses the Port of Baltimore to import vehicles, but the automotive terminal is located at the harbor entrance, in front of the bridge, and can still be accessed, the spokesman added.

[GerryC]

I just checked the Ro-Ro schedules. Everyone that's enroute is currently routed through NY (followed by Brunswick) instead of Baltimore. The first one still showing Baltimore is due to leave Bremerhaven this coming Saturday.

[Kevin45E]

Heading to Bremerhaven!! I’m guessing it’s wishful thinking to hope it will catch that Saturday ship to Baltimore.

2/19 Placed Order 047
3/4 Received Allocation
3/4 Order Accepted 111
3/5 Scheduled for Production 112
3/5 Production Begins 150
3/13 Exterior Body Assy Begins 151
3/14 In the Paint Booth 152
3/19 Entering Assembly Line 153
(Skipped) Assembly in Process 154
3/21 Quality Check
(Skipped) Final Assembly 155
(Skipped) Waiting for Transport 160
3/21 Awaiting Carrier Assignment 182
3/27 Dispatched From Factory 190

[Ex_Stig]

Originally Posted by Kevin45E

Heading to Bremerhaven!! I’m guessing it’s wishful thinking to hope it will catch that Saturday ship to Baltimore.

2/19 Placed Order 047
3/4 Received Allocation
3/4 Order Accepted 111
3/5 Scheduled for Production 112
3/5 Production Begins 150
3/13 Exterior Body Assy Begins 151
3/14 In the Paint Booth 152
3/19 Entering Assembly Line 153
(Skipped) Assembly in Process 154
3/21 Quality Check
(Skipped) Final Assembly 155
(Skipped) Waiting for Transport 160
3/21 Awaiting Carrier Assignment 182
3/27 Dispatched From Factory 190

Good luck! Mine has been sitting at the docks waiting for a ship for about 2 weeks now.

[DDS2015]

Originally Posted by Kevin45E

Heading to Bremerhaven!! I’m guessing it’s wishful thinking to hope it will catch that Saturday ship to Baltimore.

2/19 Placed Order 047
3/4 Received Allocation
3/4 Order Accepted 111
3/5 Scheduled for Production 112
3/5 Production Begins 150
3/13 Exterior Body Assy Begins 151
3/14 In the Paint Booth 152
3/19 Entering Assembly Line 153
(Skipped) Assembly in Process 154
3/21 Quality Check
(Skipped) Final Assembly 155
(Skipped) Waiting for Transport 160
3/21 Awaiting Carrier Assignment 182
3/27 Dispatched From Factory 190

Mine too!!

I wonder how long the train ride is from Magna Steyr to Bremerhaven?

Ours cars will likely part ways and be on different ships. Most of the carriers that come to Canada don’t always go straight to the US ports.