Almost seven months after the MV Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, FBI has a ship owned by the same company, one lawsuit follows the other, with experts saying that this ordeal will cost a pretty penny.
FBI boards ship owned by the same company as the Dali
According to international news sources, FBI agents boarded the Maersk Saltoro, a vessel managed by Synergy Marine Group, in the Port of Baltimore as part of a law enforcement operation. The boarding of the Maersk Saltoro by the FBI, EPA, and Coast Guard Investigative Services follows after a previous search of the MV Dali, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of the companies involved in the incident.
FBI’s action occurred a few days 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.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit against the vessel’s operators highlights significant electrical issues aboard the Dali, possibly caused by excessive vibrations that could loosen wires and damage connections. A previous captain noted “heavy vibration” in his handover notes from May 2023, having reported similar concerns to Synergy Marine Group in the past.
The lawsuit details severe problems within MV Dali’s engine room, including cracked equipment and dislodged cargo. The condition of the ship’s electrical systems was so poor that an independent agency halted further testing due to safety risks. Furthermore, the Dali experienced power outages while docked in Baltimore, which were deemed “reportable marine casualties,” yet authorities claim these incidents were never reported to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Justice Department officials have not confirmed if a criminal investigation into the bridge collapse is still active, although FBI agents boarded the Dali in April.
One lawsuit after the other piling up costs
As reported by Reuters, on 20 September, the families of the six workers who died during the collapse 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.
The families allege that the companies negligently allowed the MV Dali to depart Baltimore despite being aware of its mechanical issues. In a separate lawsuit a survivor who was in his truck when it fell from the bridge, is also seeking damages for his injuries.
In addition to the families’ lawsuits, Brawner Builders, the company that employed the deceased workers, has also sued Grace Ocean and Synergy for damages related to the deaths and loss of equipment.
Furthermore, Ace American Insurance, now known as Chubb, filed a lawsuit seeking to recover $350 million paid to the Maryland Transportation Authority under a property insurance policy following the collapse, Reuters reports.
Barclays, Morningstar DBRS, Fitch Ratings, and the Insurance Information Institute estimated that the insured losses from the collision could range from $1 billion to $4 billion, potentially surpassing the losses from the 2012 Costa Concordia disaster. Meanwhile, Lloyd’s of London chairman, Bruce Carnegie-Brown, noted that these claims could become the largest marine insurance loss in history.
