The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has reached a settlement of $101.98 million with the Singapore-based companies that owned and operated the container ship responsible for the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024.
Singaporean companies Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine owned and operated the container ship, called “the Dali,” which caused the collapse.
Shortly after leaving the Port of Baltimore, the Dali lost power, crashing into a support pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The incident claimed the lives of six maintenance workers and injured at least two others.
The collapse of the bridge left considerable damage in the Patapsco River. It blocked a key shipping route and brought the the Port of Baltimore to a complete standstill. Operations at the Port of Baltimore were put on pause for more than 11 weeks. This cost the local economy an estimated $15 million per day. The collapse also caused havoc for local traffic, as the bridge carried Interstate 695, used by thousands of commuters daily.
50,000 tons of steel, asphalt, and concrete had to be removed from the channel
The DoJ lawsuit was filed last month. It strictly sought for compensation related to the costs related to clearing the channel. This included the removal about 50,000 tons of steel, asphalt, and concrete from the affected area. The compensation from the settlement will go to the US Treasury and the federal agencies involved in the cleanup.
“Nearly seven months after one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory, which claimed six lives and caused untold damage, we have reached an important milestone with today’s settlement,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Thanks to the hard work of the Justice Department attorneys since day one of this disaster, we were able to secure this early settlement of our claim, just over one month into litigation. This resolution ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel are borne by Grace Ocean and Synergy and not the American taxpayer.”
A separate lawsuit, filed by the State of Maryland, is seeking compensation for reconstruction of the bridge and lost revenues, including tolls, fees, and taxes.