Apr 22, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Salvage work continues on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major span over the Patapsco River in Baltimore that collapsed after it was struck by a Singapore-flagged container ship 'Dali’, killing six road workers who were on the bridge at the time.
© Jasper Colt-USA TODAY
(Baltimore, MD) – The City of Baltimore has filed a legal claim seeking unspecified damages following last month’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The claim seeks restitution from the two companies that own and manage the cargo ship. Synergy Marine PTE LTD manages the Dali, a 213-million pound cargo ship that is owned by Grace Ocean Private Limited.
The Dali, after reportedly losing power, drifted and struck a support pillar during the early morning hours of March 26. Immediately the span fell to the waters below, sending a crew of workers down with it. They were repairing pot holes. Two were rescued and the rest are missing and presumed dead, or their bodies have already been found.
The mayor of Baltimore and the City Council accused both the ship’s owner and manager of failing in the runup to the accident. They claim the Dali was staffed with an “incompetent crew” that was not properly trained or skilled. CNN first obtained a copy of the claim and reported the findings.
CNN says the document reads “The Dali slammed into the bridge, causing the bridge’s immediate collapse, killing at least six individuals, destroying Baltimore property, and bringing the region’s primary economic engine to a grinding halt.”
Apparently, there may have been indications the Dali was having power issues even before it left port. Baltimore’s City Law Office told CNN: “As the Mayor stated in his announcement last week, the City is pursuing its legal claims against those responsible for the Key Bridge catastrophe to ensure that the City, its residents, and its businesses are adequately compensated for their losses. As this matter is now the subject of active litigation, we will reserve further comment for the appropriate judicial forum. Petitioners’ negligence is, in other words, readily apparent, and no blame could conceivably be lain at the City’s feet.”
Baltimore’s action is at least partially in response to a petition filed by Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine earlier this month. It asks a federal court to impose a $43.6 million limit on potential liability payouts. Baltimore’s filing seeks to have such a cap on payouts denied.
Presently, the FBI and US Coast Guard are heading up a criminal investigation in the the situation.
Also this week, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond concluded the Port of Baltimore can endure a limited or brief closure of shipping traffic as a result of the bridge collapse. Bank officials say anything beyond a shorter disruption is a source of concern, as it could lead to increased costs that will make their way to consumers. The US Army Corps of Engineers has said it hopes to have port operations back to normal by sometime next month, but some have noted its an ambitious timeline that assumes little to no delays for things like weather and other concerns.
