Dali Ship Owner Agrees to $100 Million Settlement Over Baltimore Bridge Collapse

A $101.9 million settlement has been reached between the U.S. government and the owner and operator of the MV Dali, in response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

The settlement will cover the federal expenses of restoring navigation routes to the Port of Baltimore, which suffered severe disruptions after the bridge collapse earlier this year.

This resolution settles claims for over $103 million under maritime law, the Oil Pollution Act, and the Rivers & Harbors Act, providing funds to the U.S. Treasury and several federal agencies involved in the cleanup.

The accident occurred on March 26, 2024, when the MV Dali, bound for Sri Lanka, experienced power outages in the Fort McHenry Channel, leading to a devastating collision with the bridge’s support columns.

The impact caused the bridge to collapse, tragically taking lives, blocking the Port of Baltimore, and halting local commuting and highway transport routes.

Nearly 50,000 tons of debris were cleared through a federal response involving state and local agencies, allowing temporary channels to be created and enabling the port to resume operations by June 10.

The Justice Department emphasized that the settlement ensures response costs will be covered by those responsible, not American taxpayers, avoiding lengthy litigation.

While the settlement covers federal response costs, rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge itself will be managed by the State of Maryland, which is filing a separate claim for these expenses.