The owner and operator of the cargo ship involved in the tragic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse has agreed to a substantial $102 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The incident, which occurred in March and resulted in the loss of six lives, has prompted widespread scrutiny and legal action.
The DOJ had previously filed a civil claim seeking $103 million against two Singaporean companies, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, to recover expenses incurred during the federal response to the disaster. This settlement is designed to cover the costs associated with the cleanup operations and the removal of wreckage from the Port of Baltimore, allowing the vital waterway to reopen in June.
Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer emphasized that the agreement ensures the financial responsibility for the cleanup falls on Grace Ocean and Synergy, protecting American taxpayers from bearing these costs. “This settlement holds the responsible parties accountable and reinforces our commitment to ensuring that such costs are not borne by the public,” he stated.
In May, the National Transportation Safety Board reported that the Dali cargo ship experienced multiple electrical failures before colliding with the bridge. Following the incident, the FBI initiated a criminal investigation to examine the circumstances leading up to the crash.
The DOJ’s lawsuit was a response to a prior legal action initiated by Grace Ocean and Synergy, who sought to limit their liability for the accident to a mere $44 million—a figure described by federal officials as “woefully inadequate.” The catastrophic collision caused a support pylon to give way, resulting in a significant portion of the bridge collapsing into the Patapsco River.
The recovery operation was monumental, involving the removal of over 50,000 tons of debris. More than 1,500 responders, alongside 500 specialized personnel from around the globe, collaborated with 56 federal, state, and local agencies to manage the complex cleanup effort.
In addition, the state of Maryland has filed separate claims against the two companies for costs related to the bridge’s reconstruction, cleanup efforts, and environmental impacts, estimating total expenses could range between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion. The state anticipates that reconstruction will be completed by fall 2028. Funds recovered from the settlement will help offset project costs borne by the U.S. government, reinforcing accountability among the responsible parties.
This settlement marks a significant step in addressing the fallout from the bridge collapse, ensuring that those responsible for the tragedy are held accountable for the extensive damages incurred.
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