After 55 days stranded in the Patapsco River, the Dali cargo ship was finally removed from the site of its devastating crash into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, marking a significant step toward fully reopening the busy Port of Baltimore.


Several tugboats began towing the 106,000-ton vessel around 7 a.m. Monday, officials reported. The ship moved at a pace of approximately 1 mph to the Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore.


Federal authorities are still investigating the cause of the March 26 crash, which resulted in the deaths of six construction workers. The cargo ship lost power, veered off course, and collided with the Key Bridge.


The removal of the Dali allows authorities to soon open more channels to and from the Port of Baltimore, a vital hub for the sugar and automotive industries. "We’ve been ahead of schedule with getting our channels open," US Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Kate Newkirk told CNN affiliate WBAL over the weekend. She added that a 400-foot by 50-foot channel would open Monday, with a goal of reaching a 700-foot channel within the next week.


Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed confidence that the main federal channel, obstructed by the wreckage, would be reopened by the end of May. "I’m proud that we’re on track," Moore stated on NBC’s "Meet the Press."


Several investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash and hold responsible parties accountable. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced a probe to address immediate and long-term harm to residents.


Grace Ocean Private Limited, the ship’s Singaporean owner, and Synergy Marine PTE LTD, its manager, have filed a petition in federal court seeking to limit potential liability payouts to $43.6 million, a request opposed by the city of Baltimore. The FBI, the US Coast Guard, and the National Transportation Safety Board are also conducting investigations. The NTSB's preliminary report noted that the Dali experienced electrical failures minutes before the collision and had two blackouts while in port the previous day, one due to crew error. The FBI and Coast Guard are investigating whether the crew failed to report the in-port power outage.


The Dali’s 21-member crew, confined to the ship since March 26, will likely remain on board for the foreseeable future, according to the ship’s management company. The crew's one-month visas expired during this period, and their cell phones were confiscated by the FBI for the investigation. "It’s important to get these gentlemen back home to their families," said Barbara Shipley of the International Transport Workers’ Federation.


Despite being stuck on board, the crew has played a crucial role in maintaining the ship and assisting salvage operations. Synergy Marine Group has provided mental health services to help the crew cope with the aftermath of the crash and the deaths of the construction workers. "It has been tough for the seafarers, primarily because they know that there’s been loss of life," said Gwee Guo Duan of the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union.