A fatal equipment accident at the Port of Baltimore's Dundalk Marine Terminal on Monday marked the first work-related fatality at the port in 20 years, according to FreightWaves, and prompted investigations by Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Fatal Accident at Dundalk Marine Terminal
According to the MDTA, officers were called to the terminal shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday in response to a report of an injured worker. Upon arrival, they found 53-year-old David Deon Smith had been struck by equipment during cargo-handling operations. FreightWaves reported that Smith, a member of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) Local 333, was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead despite life-saving efforts by first responders.
Local media reported that a crane boom fell onto Smith while he was performing his duties, according to FreightWaves. It was the first work-related fatality at the port in 20 years.
Smith was remembered by colleagues as a gregarious and well-known figure within the ILA community, FreightWaves reported.
Investigation Underway
The incident has prompted an investigation by MDTA Police and OSHA, according to FreightWaves. Both agencies are tasked with determining the circumstances of the accident. No findings have been released, and no statement from the terminal operator had been published at the time of writing.
Given the rarity of such an event — the first workplace death at the port in two decades — the investigation is being closely watched by the maritime community, according to the FreightWaves report.
Terminal Profile and Operations
The Dundalk Marine Terminal is operated by Ports America. According to FreightWaves, the terminal has 13 berths and four container cranes, handling containers, ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off), wood pulp, steel, breakbulk, and project cargo.
| Terminal | Operator | Berths | Container Cranes | Cargo Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dundalk Marine Terminal | Ports America | 13 | 4 | Containers, ro-ro, wood pulp, steel, breakbulk, project cargo |
"ILA members are the backbone of the Port of Baltimore," Jonathan Daniels, executive director of the Maryland Port Administration, said in a statement, according to FreightWaves. He extended condolences to Smith's family and the entire port community.
Implications for Port Users
FreightWaves has reached out to Ports America for comment, and no response had been reported at the time of writing. Shippers and freight forwarders using Dundalk Marine Terminal should monitor updates from the MDTA, OSHA, and Ports America regarding any potential operational changes or safety reviews. The terminal's cargo mix includes steel, wood pulp, and project cargo — commodities where specialized handling equipment such as cranes is central to daily operations, as noted in the FreightWaves report.
The MDTA Police and OSHA investigations will determine the facts of the accident, according to FreightWaves. Until those findings are released, port users should track official communications from the Maryland Port Administration and terminal operator.
Watch list
- Findings from the MDTA Police and OSHA investigations.
- Any statement from Ports America on terminal operations or equipment safety.
- Whether the incident prompts revised crane and cargo-handling procedures at Dundalk Marine Terminal.
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