U.S. Sues MV Dali Ship Owners & Operators For $100 Million Over Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

The United States Department of Justice has filed a civil lawsuit against the owners and operators of the vessel that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and blocked access to the Port of Baltimore earlier this year, seeking over $100 million.

The lawsuit is against Singaporean companies Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, which owns and operate the containership involved in the deadly tragedy.

The MV Dali departed from the Port of Baltimore en route to Sri Lanka on March 26, 2024. It lost power twice before striking the bridge while transiting the Fort McHenry Channel.

The vessel hit one of the support columns of the bridge, causing it to collapse into the water below and killing six people working on the bridge.

The wreckage of both the bridge and the ship blocked the channel, stopping all the shipping operations at the Port of Baltimore.

The collapse of the bridge also damaged a key transit artery, causing major disruptions for local commuters.

The lawsuit accuses the company of negligence and reckless conduct apart from seeking recovery for the $100 million spent by the government clearing the channel and reopening the port.

The Department of Justice claims that the companies were aware of issues with the vessel’s systems that could cause power outages, yet they failed to take necessary measures.

Instead, they mismanaged the ship’s electrical and mechanical systems, causing several malfunctions that led to the disaster.

Officials have stated that clearing around 50,000 tons of debris from the bridge and the vessel required the coordination of federal, state and local agencies.

The channel was fully reopened by June 10, 2024, after temporary alternative channels were established to ease the vessel traffic waiting to cross it.

Federal authorities stated that the incident was fully preventable and caused by several mistakes made by companies that prioritized cost-saving measures over safety.

It has been reported that the essential systems onboard the MV Dali, including the anchor, bow thruster, propeller, and rudder, failed when needed most, leading to the collapse.

The case, which includes a demand for punitive damages, aims to hold the responsible parties accountable for their roles in the unfortunate accident and to avoid similar conduct in the future. The vessel’s owners and operators have already filed legal action to limit their liability to $44 million.

The U.S. Coast Guard made the establishment of alternate routes to ease the port’s shipping traffic possible. The Coast Guard stated that its top priority was to restore port operations as soon as possible while limiting environmental damage from the wreckage.

The federal government’s claim does not include the cost of reconstructing the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The State of Maryland, which owns and operates the bridge, is expected to file a lawsuit.

The Department of Justice has made it clear that no liability determination has been made yet, and the charges remain pending before the U.S. District Court of Maryland.

Reference: U.S. Department of Justice

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