Justice Department Files Civil Claim Over Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

BALTIMORE, MD News (9/19/2024) – On September 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited. The Singapore-based corporations owned and operated the Motor Vessel (M/V) DALI, the container ship involved in the March 26, 2024, incident that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge and claimed six lives.

In the early hours of March 26, the DALI departed the Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka. During its passage through the Fort McHenry Channel, the vessel lost power twice before striking the Key Bridge. The impact caused the bridge to collapse, killing six workers and plunging the structure into the Patapsco River. The shipwreck, along with the remnants of the bridge, blocked the navigable channel, halting all shipping traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore. The loss of the bridge also severed a crucial highway link for commuters and the regional transportation network.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit seeks to recover more than $100 million in costs the United States incurred in response to the disaster, including efforts to clear the wreckage and restore the channel for commercial use.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring accountability for those responsible for the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which resulted in the tragic deaths of six people and disrupted our country’s transportation and defense infrastructure. With this civil claim, the Justice Department is working to ensure that the costs of clearing the channel and reopening the Port of Baltimore are borne by the companies that caused the crash, not by the American taxpayer.”

Federal, state, and local agencies collaborated to remove an estimated 50,000 tons of debris, including steel, concrete, and parts of the DALI. During this process, temporary channels were cleared to ease the economic impact of the port’s closure. The Fort McHenry Channel was fully cleared by June 10, 2024, allowing the Port of Baltimore to resume commercial operations.

Benjamin C. Mizer, Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General, highlighted the companies’ alleged negligence. “The owner and operator of the DALI were well aware of vibration issues on the vessel that could cause a power outage. But instead of taking necessary precautions, they did the opposite,” Mizer said. He noted that the companies had configured the vessel’s systems in a way that hindered the restoration of propulsion and steering, exacerbating the situation when power was lost.

The lawsuit further alleges that none of the ship’s emergency steering methods — including the propeller, rudder, anchor, or bow thruster — were operational during the incident, which could have mitigated the disaster.

Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, emphasized the significance of the bridge in Maryland’s history and infrastructure. “In so many ways, the Key Bridge has symbolized the resilience of both the State of Maryland and our Nation. A part of our culture is gone,” Barron said. “Those responsible for the Key Bridge collapse will be held accountable.”

The Justice Department’s civil claim also seeks punitive damages to deter similar future incidents. According to Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Chetan Patil, Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine acted recklessly by sending an unseaworthy vessel through a vital waterway, despite the risks involved.

The civil action is linked to a legal case initiated by Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine shortly after the tragedy, where the companies seek to limit their liability to approximately $44 million.

The U.S. Coast Guard played a key role in the disaster response, rapidly establishing alternative channels and restoring port operations. Rear Admiral Laura M. Dickey praised the collaborative efforts, stating, “We stand ready to support the Department of Justice to ensure that those responsible for this tragedy pay the costs of reopening the Port.”

The lawsuit filed by the United States does not cover damages related to the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge itself, as the State of Maryland may file its own claim for those costs. Any funds recovered for the bridge’s reconstruction will offset the federal taxpayer burden for the project.

Story by multiple RFHC contributors