The owner and operator of the cargo ship that caused the March disaster at Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge have agreed to pay $102 million to the federal government. The settlement was reached after the US Justice Department filed a civil claim seeking $103 million from two Singaporean companies, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited. The claim aimed to recoup the money spent by the government on responding to the disaster and clearing the wreck of the Dali ship and bridge debris from the Port of Baltimore so the waterway could reopen in June.
Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer stated that the settlement ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel are covered by Grace Ocean and Synergy rather than the American taxpayer. The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the Dali lost electrical power several times before crashing into the bridge in the Patapsco River on March 26. The FBI launched a criminal investigation into the disaster in April, and the Justice Department’s lawsuit was part of a legal action initiated by Grace Ocean and Synergy to limit their liability to $44 million, a sum considered inadequate by department officials.
The crash resulted in the bridge collapsing into the river after the ship slammed into a support pylon. The debris removal operation to reopen the waterway required the removal of 50,000 tons of debris. More than 1,500 individual responders and 500 specialists from around the world, operated a fleet of boats during the operation, involving 56 federal, state, and local agencies. The state of Maryland estimates that it will cost between $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion to rebuild the Key Bridge and expects the completion by fall 2028. Maryland separately filed claims against the companies for the bridge costs, cleanup efforts, environmental claims, and other expenses.
Funds recovered by Maryland for the reconstruction of the bridge will be used to offset the project costs paid by the US government, according to the DOJ. The settlement amount of $102 million agreed by the companies is slightly less than the $103 million initially sought by the Justice Department in its civil claim. The government’s efforts to recoup expenses related to the disaster demonstrate a commitment to holding companies accountable for incidents that result in significant damage and costs. Once the bridge is rebuilt, it will restore a critical transportation artery in the Baltimore area and support the region’s economy and infrastructure needs.
The tragic incident involving the cargo ship and the Key Bridge in Baltimore highlights the importance of safety protocols and regulations in maritime transportation. The FBI’s criminal investigation and the Justice Department’s lawsuit underscore the severity of the consequences for companies that fail to comply with safety regulations and cause significant harm. The significant costs incurred by the government in responding to the disaster and clearing the wreckage serve as a reminder of the impact of such incidents on communities, infrastructure, and taxpayers. Moving forward, the settlement reached between the companies and the government will help offset some of the expenses and provide support for the reconstruction efforts to restore the Key Bridge and resume normal operations on the waterway.
