DOJ Sues Ship Owner for $103M Over Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse, Six Deaths

Sep 18, 2024, 03:56 PM

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $103 million in damages from the owner and operator of the Singapore-flagged container ship Dali, which caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in March. The collapse, which resulted in the deaths of six workers, was described by the DOJ as 'entirely avoidable' and attributed to negligence and mismanagement. The lawsuit alleges that the ship's electrical and mechanical systems were improperly maintained, leading to the vessel losing power and veering off course. The federal government is seeking to recover costs associated with clearing the underwater debris and reopening the city's port. The DOJ also seeks punitive damages for the reckless conduct of the ship's owner, Synergy, and operator, Grace Ocean.