Maryland is ramping up its legal battle against the owners of the massive container ship Dali that led to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. State officials filed a new lawsuit during the week of Sept. 22, against Singapore-based companies, joining a string of claims accusing them of knowingly sending an unsafe vessel into U.S. waters.
The lawsuit follows reports that the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking $100 million over the bridge collapse. Both Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., and Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown delivered a message Tuesday, Sept. 24, saying that the companies failed in their duties.
The Dali was en route to Sri Lanka when it lost power on the way out of Baltimore harbor. That power outage ultimately set off a chain reaction, and led to the destruction of the bridge and the deaths of six road workers who were filling potholes during an overnight shift.
The deadly collapse also crippled commercial shipping for months at one of the East Coast’s busiest ports. A spokesperson for Grace Ocean Private Limited has defended the company’s actions, saying they “look forward to their day in court.”
Meanwhile, the FBI is still conducting a criminal investigation. The bureau boarded the Dali back in April, and inspected another ship that is operated by Synergy Marine while it was docked in Baltimore last weekend.
Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine are seeking to limit their financial responsibility in what could become one of the most expensive maritime accidents in history. However, according to comments made by state officials, Maryland intends to hold them fully accountable.
“We will not allow Marylanders to be left with the bill for the gross negligence… that caused this harm,” Brown said during the announcement with Gov. Moore.
The deadline for claims against shipping companies is fast approaching. Multiple parties have already filed lawsuits, including Baltimore city officials, local businesses and insurers.
