State Of Maryland Sues Owner & Operator Of MV Dali Ship Over Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Maryland has filed a lawsuit against the owner and operator of the containership MV Dali, accusing them of negligence in the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March.

The accident, which took the lives of six construction workers, has led to several legal claims from state, local, and federal authorities asking for compensation from the ship’s Singapore-based owner, Grace Ocean Private Limited, and operator, Synergy Marine Group.

The complaint seeks to recover costs for the extensive damage caused by the bridge collapse, including the clean-up efforts, the reconstruction of the bridge, and environmental damages.

The collapse, after the Dali lost power and collided with one of the bridge’s support columns, has also led to claims for lost toll revenue and damage to Maryland’s natural resources.

According to officials, the ship suffered an electrical blackout and other mechanical issues, causing it to lose control and collide with the bridge.

The accident not only killed six road workers who were on the bridge at the time, but it also disrupted traffic to the Port of Baltimore, a crucial hub for freight transport, for several months.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore addressed the situation at a press conference, stating that the bridge used by thousands of people every day is no longer there. Six people have died, and the impact of the collapse will be felt for years. He further added that the tragedy should never have happened.

The lawsuit comes after several other legal actions, including a recent filing by the US Department of Justice detailing the errors that led to the collapse.

According to the Justice Department, Dali’s mechanical systems were in bad condition, with crucial parts “jury-rigged” to keep the ship running despite known issues. The FBI boarded the vessel in April as part of a criminal investigation into the incident.

Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine have rejected the charges and want to limit their liability to $44 million, much less than the hundreds of millions in claims already filed by the federal government, Maryland, and the victims’ families. A representative for the companies said they will defend their actions in court.

The state’s lawsuit aims to recover the cost of the bridge’s physical damage and the region’s economic and environmental impact.

The collapse caused major disruptions to companies that rely on port traffic, and the clean-up effort, which included barges, cranes, and explosives to clear over 50,000 tons of debris, took months to complete.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said the state would not let the companies escape responsibility. Brown added that Maryland residents would not be allowed to carry the financial burden for the carelessness and mismanagement that led to the tragedy.

The time for submitting claims relating to the collapse has passed, and various parties, including the city of Baltimore, the victims’ family members, and local businesses, have joined the legal battle.

Reference: AP News, NYTimes

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