UPDATE 2-CSX starts new freight rail route to avoid Baltimore port closure, CNBC reports

(Adds Baltimore port background in paragraphs 5-7)

April 1 (Reuters) - Rail company CSX will start a new freight rail service between Baltimore and New York for its clients on Tuesday to circumvent the closure of the Port of Baltimore following the collapse of a major bridge, CNBC reported on Monday.

Baltimore-bound rail freight, which was diverted to the Port of New York and New Jersey after the disruption, will use this new CSX service, the report added.

CSX did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Supplies from Baltimore, which is one of the most busiest ports on the U.S. East Coast, have been disrupted following the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge that was struck by the Dali, a massive cargo ship.

The Energy Information Administration last week said that the port closure primarily impacts U.S. coal exports and reduces the bunker fuel usage.

Baltimore handled exports of 28 million short tons last year, making up 28% of total U.S. coal exports and second only to the Hampton Roads port in Norfolk, Virginia, according to census data.

The port also handles exports and imports related to autos, sugar, gypsum and industrial equipment, among many other commodities.

CSX had warned its coal customers last week about possible shipping delays after the accident. CSX owns the Curtis Bay coal pier in Baltimore, near where the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed. (Reporting by Deborah Sophia, Pratyush Thakur and Granth Vanaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona and Maju Samuel)