On Tuesday, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the state has initiated legal action against the owners of the M/V Dali cargo ship. This comes after the vessel was involved in a collision on March 26, 2024, which resulted in the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Here’s a summary of the situation leading to Maryland’s legal move and other important details.

Case against cargo ship operators

The lawsuit targets Grace Ocean Private Limited, the ship’s owners, and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., the ship’s managers. They are being held accountable for causing “immediate and significant harm to Maryland and its residents,” according to a state announcement.

“For the last six months and into the foreseeable future, Maryland residents have been dealing with the aftermath and costs arising from the actions of Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. We mourn the loss of six lives and stand with their families,” Brown emphasized. “We’ve faced increased traffic congestion, altered commutes, and even a decrease in air quality. Maryland has suffered a loss of tax revenue and tolls, disrupting our economy. While we will rebuild the bridge, residents should not bear the financial burden of the negligence shown by the ship’s owners and managers.”

Governor Wes Moore, while discussing the lawsuit, highlighted the necessity for accountability.

“Marylanders united and took decisive actions after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. However, taking action does not mean we forgo accountability. We can and will pursue both,” Moore asserted. “Our collaboration will help us recover from this significant disaster, rebuild the bridge, and ensure justice for Marylanders.”

Details of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

The state provided details about the early morning crash that resulted in six fatalities and injuries to two others.

“The debris from the bridge fell into the Patapsco River, blocking access to a significant portion of the Port of Baltimore, and causing major disruptions that will impact the state and its citizens for many years,” the announcement stated.

Leading up to the crash, investigators noted that the Dali faced two power failures, which resulted in a loss of steering and propulsion control.

“The ship’s backup systems failed to operate correctly, the crew was unable to restore power, and the pilots’ instructions to use a bow thruster and drop the anchor were not heeded in time.”

Could the collision have been avoided? Maryland believes so.

Maryland’s investigation revealed that the ship had experienced power issues the day before the crash. However, the ship’s owners and operators “failed to address or report these issues before departure from the port.”

“The findings suggest this catastrophic event was entirely avoidable,” the announcement explained.

“The power outages were due to a long-standing vibration issue that caused damage to the transformers and switchboards, with bolts and nuts coming loose and falling out. This resulted in a loose connection responsible for the initial power failure on March 26.

The system designed to automatically restore electrical power did not function as intended due to the ship’s management and crew purposely bypassing essential safety protocols. These hazardous conditions had persisted for several months, and the owners and operators of the Dali neglected to resolve them. They also did not adequately train the crew for this type of emergency situation.

What Does Maryland Want from the Lawsuit Against the Cargo Ship Owner?

In the lawsuit, Maryland is not only seeking punitive damages but also requesting the court to grant compensation for the following:

• The cost to replace the bridge;
• All expenses related to emergency response, salvage operations, demolition, and compensation for affected workers and businesses;
• Loss of revenues, including tolls, fees, and taxes;
• Indemnification, damages, and legal fees as per the Tariff;
• Impact on the state’s natural resources;
• All expenses connected to environmental pollution and penalties;
• Additional strain on the state’s infrastructure;
• Other economic losses resulting from the destruction of the bridge.

The state indicated that the extent of damages will be detailed in expert testimony, and the investigation by the state is still in progress.

“The owners and managers of the Dali are also requesting that the court restrict its liability for this incident to the ship’s value, which would be insufficient to cover the state’s damages,” the statement noted. “In today’s filing, Maryland is urging the court to reject this request and hold Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine completely accountable.”