The state of Maryland has taken legal action against the owner and operator of the container ship Dali following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The incident, which resulted in the loss of six lives, occurred after the vessel experienced an electrical blackout and other failures.
Officials announced the lawsuit on Tuesday, alleging that the ship's owner, Grace Ocean Private Ltd., and manager, Synergy Marine Group, knowingly sent an unseaworthy ship into U.S. waters. Governor Wes Moore emphasized the preventable nature of the disaster, highlighting the impact on both infrastructure and human lives.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently filed a detailed complaint outlining the series of failures on the Dali that led to the bridge collapse. The complaint described how mechanical and electrical systems on the ship were improperly maintained, ultimately resulting in a power outage moments before the collision.
Following the incident, FBI agents launched a criminal investigation and boarded the Dali in April. Another container ship managed by Synergy was also investigated while docked in Baltimore. The collapse disrupted commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore for months before the channel was fully reopened in June.
Grace Ocean and Synergy sought to limit their legal liability in the aftermath of the collapse, prompting various entities, including the state of Maryland, to file claims seeking damages. The state's claim includes punitive damages, cleanup costs, toll revenue losses, environmental damage, and other associated expenses.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown emphasized the need to hold the responsible parties accountable for the harm caused by the bridge collapse. The legal proceedings are ongoing as stakeholders work to quantify the total monetary loss and address the long-term impacts of the incident.
