The owner and manager of the cargo ship responsible for the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse have agreed to pay over $102 million in cleanup costs as part of a settlement with the Justice Department. This settlement does not cover damages for rebuilding the bridge, which could cost close to $2 billion. Maryland has filed its own claim seeking those damages in addition to others. The ship, named the Dali, lost power and veered off course before striking a support column on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, causing it to collapse and resulting in the deaths of six road crew members.
The Justice Department alleged that the ship’s electrical and mechanical systems were improperly maintained, leading to the steering failure that caused the collision with the bridge. The Dali remained stuck among the wreckage for almost two months, with cleanup crews working tirelessly to recover bodies and remove debris from the Patapsco River. The settlement with Grace Ocean and Synergy, based in Singapore, ensures that the costs of the cleanup efforts are covered by the responsible parties and not the American taxpayer. The collapse disrupted commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore and put local longshoremen out of work until the channel was fully reopened in June.
Grace Ocean and Synergy filed a court petition seeking to limit their legal liability in what could become the most expensive marine casualty case in history. However, they reached a settlement agreement with the Justice Department and requested dismissal of the claim seeking cleanup costs. This is just one of many claims filed in an extensive liability case that will determine the total amount owed by the ship’s owner and manager for their role in the disaster. Other claims have been filed on behalf of victims’ families, businesses affected by the collapse, and municipal entities, among others.
Following the bridge collapse, an FBI investigation was launched, and agents boarded the ship in April to gather evidence. The Justice Department’s civil claim against Grace Ocean and Synergy detailed the series of failures that led to the disaster, including excessive vibrations on the ship, cracked equipment in the engine room, and poor maintenance of electrical equipment. Crew members were said to have “jury-rigged” the ship instead of addressing the underlying issues, leading to a situation where disaster was unavoidable. The lawsuit also highlighted safety concerns identified by an independent agency that halted further electrical testing on the ship.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge resulted in several vehicles falling into the water, with six people still unaccounted for. The incident disrupted shipping routes along the East Coast, as the Port of Baltimore is a major hub for commercial traffic, including cars and farm equipment. The settlement reached between the ship’s owner and manager and the Justice Department aims to hold those responsible for the disaster accountable for the costs of cleanup and potentially other damages. The resolution of this case is a step toward bringing closure to the victims’ families and businesses impacted by the tragic event.
