The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Thursday against the owner and operator of the container ship that destroyed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, seeking over $100 million in damages and cleanup costs.
The civil claim, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, targets Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the vessel Dali.
On March 26, the Dali struck the bridge after losing power while leaving the Port of Baltimore, causing the structure to collapse and killing six people. The incident halted shipping traffic and severed a crucial transportation link.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring accountability for those responsible for the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which resulted in the tragic deaths of six people and disrupted our country’s transportation and defense infrastructure.”
The lawsuit alleges that the companies were aware of vibration issues on the vessel that could cause power outages but failed to take necessary precautions. It claims that when the Dali lost power, a series of failures led to the disaster, with none of the ship’s steering mechanisms functioning properly.
Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer said, “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.”
The government’s claim seeks to recover costs incurred in clearing the channel and reopening the Port of Baltimore, which was accomplished by June 10. It also seeks punitive damages to deter similar incidents in the future.
U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland emphasized, “Those responsible for the Key Bridge collapse will be held accountable.”
The lawsuit is part of a broader legal action initiated by the ship’s owner and operator, who are seeking to limit their liability to approximately $44 million.
The Justice Department’s claim does not include damages for reconstructing the bridge, which was owned and operated by the State of Maryland. The state may file its own claim for those damages.
Coast Guard Rear Admiral Laura M. Dickey supported the legal action, stating that “wholly preventable failures” caused the incident.
The claims in the lawsuit are allegations, and there has been no determination of liability at this time.
