19-9-2024 (BALTIMORE) The United States Justice Department has initiated a lawsuit against two Singaporean companies, seeking damages exceeding US$100 million for their alleged role in the catastrophic collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year.
The civil action, filed on Wednesday in the US District Court for the District of Maryland, targets Grace Ocean Private and Synergy Marine Private, the owner and operator respectively of the cargo vessel M/V Dali. The 300-metre ship collided with the bridge on 26 March, resulting in a tragic incident that claimed the lives of six road workers and brought the bustling Baltimore port to a standstill.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasised the Justice Department’s commitment to holding responsible parties accountable. “This civil claim aims to ensure that the costs of clearing the channel and reopening the Port of Baltimore are borne by the companies that caused the crash, not by the American taxpayer,” Garland stated.
The lawsuit seeks to recoup over US$100 million in expenses incurred in the disaster response and the massive operation to remove tonnes of bridge debris from the shipping channel. This legal action follows a separate move by Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine earlier this year to limit their liability to approximately US$44 million.
Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer revealed that the Dali’s operators were allegedly aware of vibration issues that could lead to power outages. “Out of negligence, mismanagement, and, at times, a desire to cut costs, they configured the ship’s electrical and mechanical systems in a way that prevented those systems from being able to quickly restore propulsion and steering after a power outage,” Mizer explained.
The incident occurred as the Dali was departing Baltimore for Sri Lanka. The vessel lost power, leading to a cascade of failures that culminated in the collision with the bridge. The impact of this disaster extended far beyond the immediate tragedy, significantly disrupting operations at the Port of Baltimore, a crucial hub for the American automotive industry.
It’s worth noting that this federal lawsuit does not encompass damages for the eventual reconstruction of the bridge, which is anticipated to be addressed in a separate claim by the state of Maryland. Additionally, the families of the six deceased road workers are pursuing their own legal actions.
The Fort McHenry channel, the primary maritime route to the Port of Baltimore, reopened to commercial navigation on 10 June after extensive clearing operations. However, the repercussions of this incident continue to reverberate through legal, economic, and social spheres.
