Maryland sues MV Dali operators over Bridge disaster

This legal action follows the ship’s crash into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, which led to the bridge’s catastrophic collapse, the death of six individuals, and significant damage to the state’s infrastructure and environment. The lawsuit aims to seek damages for the immediate and ongoing impact of this disaster, which has severely affected Maryland residents and businesses.

The M/V Dali experienced two electrical failures just before the crash, which caused the vessel to lose propulsion and steering capabilities. According to the announcement, despite having issues the day before, the ship’s owners, Grace Ocean Private Limited, and managers, Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., failed to adequately address these problems.

Investigations revealed that the crew circumvented safety features and did not receive proper training to handle such emergencies, leading to the disaster. As a result, the bridge’s destruction has disrupted access to the Port of Baltimore for nearly two months, increased traffic congestion, and led to environmental pollution, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities, the statement notes. 

Maryland’s lawsuit seeks to hold the Dali’s owners and operators fully accountable for their negligence. The state is requesting compensation for various damages, including the cost of rebuilding the bridge, emergency response efforts, lost revenues from tolls and taxes, environmental cleanup, and other economic losses. 

Marylanders rallied and moved in partnership to take bold action following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. But the presence of action doesn’t mean the absence of accountability. We can – and we will – pursue both at the same time. We will continue to work together to come back from this historic catastrophe, rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and make Marylanders whole.

… said Gov. Moore

Furthermore, Maryland is asking the court to award damages to the State for:

• Replacement of the bridge; 
• All costs associated with the emergency response, salvage, demolition, and benefits paid to affected workers and businesses; 
• Lost revenues, including tolls, fees, and taxes;
• Indemnification, damages, and attorneys’ fees pursuant to the Tariff;
• Damage to the State’s natural resources;
• All costs related to environmental contamination and penalties;
• Increased wear and tear on the State’s infrastructure; and
• Other forms of economic loss flowing from the destruction of the bridge.

We have endured increased traffic and altered work commutes, degrading even the quality of the air we breathe. Our state has lost valuable tax and toll revenues, and Maryland’s economy has been disrupted,

Maryland will rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge, but Marylanders should not have to pay for the DALI owner’s and manager’s negligence and incompetence.

… commented Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. 

To remind, the families of the six workers who died during the collapse have also filed lawsuits against the cargo ship’s owner and operator. The lawsuits, submitted to a Maryland federal court, seek unspecified damages from Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and its manager, Synergy Marine Group.

Additionally, the US Department of Justice has filed a civil lawsuit filed by the Justice Department against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the owner and manager of the MV Dali, that seeks over $100 million in costs incurred by the U.S. in response to the disaster.