Singapore to assist US probe into Baltimore bridge disaster

26-3-2024 (SINGAPORE) In the wake of a catastrophic bridge collapse in Baltimore that sent vehicles plunging into the waters below, Singapore’s maritime authorities have pledged their full cooperation to support investigations by the United States Coast Guard into the shocking incident.

The dramatic scene unfolded early on March 26th when the Singapore-flagged container ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge spanning Baltimore’s harbor around 1:30 a.m. local time. The powerful impact triggered the bridge’s steel infrastructure to crumple, with eyewitness reports suggesting up to 20 people and multiple cars may have been precipitated into the Patapsco River below.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) swiftly responded, stating it had established contact with both the US Coast Guard overseeing the inquiry and the management firm operating the ill-fated 95,000-tonne vessel to offer necessary assistance.

“As the flag state, MPA will provide full cooperation to the US Coast Guard in its investigations. MPA will also be investigating the incident,” an official statement declared, underscoring the city-state’s obligation as the Dali’s national registry to conduct its own parallel probe.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a ship’s flag state holds responsibility for enforcing construction, equipment and seaworthiness standards – a jurisdictional criteria that transcends the vessel’s ownership or operational control.

While Greece-based Synergy Marine Group manages the stricken boxship, it had been chartered to Danish transport giant Maersk at the time of the accident. Synergy confirmed the Dali’s 22 crew members were all accounted for with no initial reports of injuries.

Despite bearing investigative onus, maritime legal experts noted that Singapore would likely avoid any financial liability arising from the calamitous collision, with potential damages or environmental costs instead falling upon the ship’s owners and insurers based on evidence of negligence or fault.

As one of the world’s preeminent shipping registries with over 4,400 vessels listed, the MPA has considerable experience cooperating with international inquiries. But the sheer scale of this disaster on American soil is poised to test Singapore’s maritime prowess in supporting a complex investigation alongside US authorities.

With operations still underway to locate potential victims amid the submerged wreckage, piecing together how a vital Baltimore transportation link dramatically gave way promises to be a painstaking undertaking – one where Singapore has promptly pledged its fullest participation from half a world away.