The City of Baltimore is opposing efforts to cap the liability of Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., the companies that own and manage the Dali cargo ship.
The companies filed a “limitation of liability” action to cap damages at $43 million, the value of the Dali and its cargo. However, the city’s lawyers argue that the companies’ actions were “grossly and potentially criminally negligent.” The filing claims the companies provided an “incompetent crew,” failed to comply with navigation customs, and neglected to maintain the vessel properly.
According to the local news outlets, the city’s submission aims for compensation, covering expenses such as the replacement of the Key Bridge, which is expected to surpass the suggested $43 million liability limit; the expenses for clearing the Patapsco River and reopening the Port of Baltimore; the additional costs for road maintenance and overtime for public workers who handled the aftermath; and the revenue losses due to the port’s closure.
