Eleven cargo ships are currently trapped behind the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Port of Baltimore. Among them are four ships from the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Ready Reserve Force, intended to swiftly support U.S. military deployments overseas. These ships, including the SS Antares, SS Denebola, Gary I. Gordon, and Cape Washington, are capable of rapid deployment, with the Antares and Denebola being among the fastest cargo ships globally.

The blockade of these ships raises concerns among naval strategy experts, particularly regarding the country’s logistics capabilities for operations similar to the Gulf War’s Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. The Ready Reserve Force played a crucial role during these operations, but its size has diminished over the years, leaving insufficient capacity for future endeavors.

Although efforts are underway to clear the wreckage, including temporary channels for smaller vessels, stormy conditions have complicated the cleanup. Additionally, two of the trapped ships, the Gary I. Gordon and Cape Washington, were already out of service due to engine issues and repair work before the recent disaster.

The readiness of the Antares and Denebola, like all vessels in the Ready Reserve Force, is currently reduced but should allow them to sail within a short time frame in case of a national emergency. However, operational challenges, including manpower and financial resources, have limited their activation since Desert Storm.

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Retired Navy Adm. James Foggo emphasizes the urgent need for increased investment in maritime infrastructure, citing the collapse of the Key Bridge as a wake up call. He advocates for more redundancy in sea infrastructure and highlights the decline in the nation’s shipyards over the years.

Despite these challenges, the Maritime Administration is expanding the Ready Reserve Force by purchasing and updating used ships. Once incorporated, the fleet will consist of 53 vessels, with efforts underway to expedite their readiness for service.