Settlement Reached After Fatal Baltimore Bridge Collapse

 

The owner and operator of the ship involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has agreed to a $100 million settlement with the U.S. government. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the settlement on Thursday, involving Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, both based in Singapore. The settlement resolves a lawsuit related to the catastrophic incident that claimed the lives of six construction workers in March.

Benjamin C. Mizer, the principal deputy associate attorney general, stated, “Nearly seven months after one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory, which claimed six lives and caused untold damage, we have reached an important milestone with today’s settlement.” He emphasized that the resolution ensures that the financial burden of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel will be covered by the responsible companies rather than American taxpayers.

The civil claim filed by the Justice Department in September accused the ship's owners and operators of neglecting electrical issues on the vessel. Prosecutors alleged that the Dali, due to poorly maintained mechanical and electrical systems, lost power, went off course, and collided with the bridge. The impact caused a significant portion of the bridge to collapse into the water, resulting in the deaths of the construction workers who were on site at the time.

Cleanup efforts following the disaster exceeded $100 million, with federal authorities working to remove debris and restore access to Baltimore’s port. The lawsuit described the tragedy as “entirely avoidable.”

The bridge collapse severely disrupted commercial shipping traffic in and out of Baltimore, and the channel remained closed until June. The Dali was on its way to Sri Lanka when it experienced steering failure due to a loss of power. While police were able to halt traffic on the bridge, likely preventing further casualties, they could not warn the construction crew in time.

Families of the victims, all of whom were Latino immigrants seeking better job opportunities in the U.S., have called for enhanced protections for workers, particularly those in vulnerable positions.

Federal cleanup efforts involved removing approximately 50,000 tons of debris, including steel, concrete, and asphalt, from the channel, along with the wrecked ship. This settlement does not cover the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge, as the state of Maryland owns and operates it. State attorneys are currently pursuing claims for these rebuilding expenses, which are estimated to be between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion, with completion expected by fall 2028.