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First full-size sugar vessel reaches Baltimore Refinery after mishap

A fullsize vessel bring raw sugar was able to navigate through the 20foot deep temporary channel at the U.S. Patapsco River on Wednesday and reach the Port of Baltimore for the first time because an accident blocked access to the port almost a month back.

The vessel The Jonathan carried materials for the big sugar refinery run by the ASR Group - the business that makes Domino Sugar - situated at Port of Baltimore.

The plant, which is one of the largest sugar refineries in the United States, has actually dealt with difficulties to keep operations at normal levels since the collapse of the Francis Scott Secret Bridge on March 26 that killed 6 individuals.

At that time, ASR Group said it had stocks to keep the refinery working for around six to 8 weeks.

ASR Group said on Wednesday that a couple of smaller sized boats had managed to reach the refinery before Wednesday, however with much smaller cargoes.

Despite the arrival of a full-size vessel, the company said the supply situation has yet to normalize.

Providing the Baltimore Refinery will continue to require additional efforts until the 35-foot channel is permanently opened, said Marianne Martinez, ASR Vice-President for Corporate Communications.

The new navigation channel, which will allow even bigger vessels with heavier loads to get in the port, is expected to open in coming days, however it will have limited durations of operation in the meantime.

(source: Reuters)