A Baltimore publishing company has filed a class action claim seeking damages from the owner and manager of a massive container ship that caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge last month. The claim, filed on behalf of American Publishing LLC, alleges negligence on the part of Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Ltd., the owner of the vessel, and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., the ship’s manager. The companies are seeking to cap their liability under an 1851 maritime law provision, but a federal court in Maryland will ultimately decide the extent of their responsibility and the damages owed to impacted businesses.
Attorneys for American Publishing argue in their claim that the ship’s owner and manager should have realized that the vessel was unfit for its voyage and should have ensured it was staffed with a competent crew. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has resulted in a severe downturn in commercial activities in and around Baltimore, with American Publishing citing a significant decrease in revenue as local businesses halted advertising deals and other publishing requests following the incident. The companies being sued have refrained from commenting on the pending litigation at this time.
The vessel, named Dali, was en route to Sri Lanka when it lost power shortly after leaving Baltimore and struck a support column of the bridge, causing it to collapse and resulting in the deaths of six members of a roadwork crew. FBI agents have launched a criminal investigation into the incident, while the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting a separate federal probe to determine if the ship experienced power issues before embarking on its journey, with a focus on the electrical system of the Dali. Grace Ocean and Synergy have sought to limit their liability to approximately $43.6 million, based on the value of the vessel and projected expenses for repairs and salvage costs.
Business owners and city leaders in Baltimore are holding the ship’s owner and manager accountable for their alleged role in the disaster, as the collapse of the bridge has disrupted maritime traffic through the Port of Baltimore and affected an important trucking route on the East Coast. Victims of the collapse and their families, represented by lawyers, are also determined to ensure that the companies involved are held responsible for the consequences of the incident. The court proceedings in this case will determine the final outcome and potentially establish a precedent for future maritime disaster liability cases.
