A cargo ship crashed into a major bridge in Baltimore, causing a massive disruption that lasted for months. The ship, called the MV Dali, hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024. The crash was so severe that it killed six road workers and completely knocked out one of Baltimore’s busiest highways.
Now, the U.S. government is fighting back with a huge lawsuit. The Justice Department has sued two companies from Singapore—Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited. They owned and operated the MV Dali, and the U.S. government wants them to pay $100 million for the damage caused.
Why such a big number? Here’s the scoop: The crash didn’t just wreck the bridge. It caused a major mess with tons of debris, which had to be cleared out. The Fort McHenry Channel, a crucial waterway for ships, was blocked for months. This meant that ships couldn’t get in or out of the Port of Baltimore, one of the largest ports in America. The cleanup involved removing 50,000 tons of steel, concrete, and asphalt. The U.S. government wants the companies to cover these costs, along with potential pollution risks.
The lawsuit is also about punishing the companies for their mistakes. Attorney General Merrick Garland says this claim is meant to make sure the American people don’t end up paying for the damage. Instead, it should be the responsibility of the companies that caused the crash.
The crash happened because the MV Dali had some serious problems. After leaving the port, the ship lost power multiple times before hitting the bridge. The U.S. government says this was due to poor management and cost-cutting by the ship’s owners, who didn’t fix known issues with the ship’s power system.
While the lawsuit doesn’t cover the cost of rebuilding the bridge itself (since that’s up to Maryland), it’s still a significant legal battle. The outcome could have a big impact on how companies handle their ships and manage risks in the future.
Stay tuned to see how this $100 million drama unfolds!
