The companies responsible for the Dali cargo ship, which struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland in March 2024, have agreed to pay a significant $101.9 million settlement to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The two Singapore-based firms, Grace Ocean Private Limited (the ship’s owner) and Synergy Marine Private Limited (the operator), settled this civil claim to cover the substantial public funds expended in the response and cleanup following the bridge collapse.
According to the DOJ, the funds will be allocated to the U.S. Treasury and budgets of various federal agencies involved in the response.
The incident occurred early on March 26 as the Dali departed from Baltimore en route to Sri Lanka. Multiple power failures on the vessel resulted in a collision with a support structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing part of the bridge to collapse into the Patapsco River.
Tragically, six lives were lost in the disaster, and the impact disrupted a crucial transportation artery, severing access on the Port of Baltimore’s major Fort McHenry Channel and Interstate 695.
Following the collapse, more than 50,000 tons of wreckage, including steel, concrete, and asphalt, had to be removed from the channel and the damaged ship itself. By June 10, crews successfully cleared the channel, allowing the Port of Baltimore to reopen.
In September, DOJ attorney Benjamin C. Mizer stated that Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine displayed negligence and mismanagement, suggesting they “cut corners” on safety by configuring the Dali’s electrical and mechanical systems in a way that limited their ability to quickly restore propulsion and steering after the power loss.
Mizer claimed the failure to prioritize safety measures contributed to a cascading series of malfunctions that ultimately led to the collision and bridge collapse.
The DOJ’s settlement does not, however, cover the cost of rebuilding the bridge itself. Since the State of Maryland constructed and maintained the Francis Scott Key Bridge, state attorneys have separately filed claims to seek compensation for those damages.
The financial implications are extensive for Maryland, which will face further costs and logistical challenges as it plans the bridge reconstruction, impacting both local commuters and businesses reliant on the I-695 corridor.
This incident has highlighted concerns over maritime safety protocols and the importance of operational standards for large vessels in densely populated regions.
The DOJ hopes this settlement sends a message to maritime companies regarding the potential consequences of prioritizing cost-cutting over safety.