The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil lawsuit against two Singaporean companies, over the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge by their container ship.
The lawsuit seeks to recover over $100 million in costs incurred by the U.S. government to clear the wreckage and debris, reopen the port, and restore transportation infrastructure. It also aims to hold the companies accountable for their alleged negligence and reckless conduct.
The Dali experienced multiple power failures before crashing into the bridge, and the lawsuit claims the vessel’s systems were poorly maintained, contributing to the disaster. This incident, which occurred on March 26, 2024, resulted in the bridge collapsing into the water, killing six people and severely disrupting the Port of Baltimore, a major shipping hub.
The legal action includes a demand for punitive damages to discourage future negligence. The Justice Department argues that the ship’s operators were aware of critical issues but failed to address them, leading to the avoidable catastrophe.
Out of negligence, mismanagement, and, at times, a desire to cut costs, they configured the ship’s electrical and mechanical systems in a way that prevented those systems from being able to quickly restore propulsion and steering after a power outage. As a result, when the Dali lost power, a cascading set of failures led to disaster.
… said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney, General Benjamin C. Mizer.
Meanwhile, the State of Maryland, which owned and maintained the bridge, may pursue a separate claim for the reconstruction costs.
