Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has filed a lawsuit against the owners and managers of the M/V Dali, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., for the vessel’s collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024. The crash destroyed the bridge, causing the death of six people and long-term harm to Maryland’s residents and infrastructure.
The lawsuit demands compensation for the replacement of the bridge, emergency response costs, lost revenues, environmental damage, and other economic losses. The Dali’s owners and operators are accused of negligence, including failing to address known electrical problems that caused the ship to lose propulsion, leading to the crash. The Dali had experienced power failures both the day before and the day of the collision, which were not properly addressed. Maryland’s investigation revealed that the disaster was preventable, citing unsafe conditions and crew mismanagement as contributing factors.
The impact of the crash has been severe, blocking access to most of the Port of Baltimore for nearly two months and releasing pollutants into the Patapsco River. The state continues to feel the effects of the increased traffic and environmental damage.
The lawsuit seeks damages to cover the full cost of the bridge’s reconstruction, lost revenues, and other related expenses. The ship’s owners are attempting to limit their liability to the value of the vessel, an amount far below the state’s incurred damages. Maryland is asking the court to hold the owners and managers fully accountable.
