The U.S. Justice Department finalized a $102 million settlement with the owners and operators of the containership Dali, which crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to its collapse and the tragic deaths of six workers. This agreement reimburses federal costs from emergency efforts to clear debris and reopen the port.
The settlement followed a lawsuit seeking $103 million against Singaporean companies Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine, the vessel’s owner and manager. Justice Department official Benjamin C. Mizer stated that this ensures the burden of cleanup costs does not fall on American taxpayers.
The lawsuit alleged that due to safety lapses and cost-cutting measures, the Dali lost power, resulting in a failure to restore steering and propulsion. Grace Ocean and Synergy claimed insurance would cover the payment but denied liability.
Federal agencies spent weeks removing thousands of tons of debris to restore critical shipping access. Though this settlement resolves federal claims, further legal challenges persist. The FBI has launched a criminal investigation, and Maryland filed its own lawsuit, accusing the companies of negligence and seeking bridge replacement costs. Maryland’s attorney general also cited prior, unreported power losses and misleading information given to local pilots, calling the disaster preventable.
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