US gets $100m settlement for Baltimore bridge collapse

The owners of a container ship involved in a devastating crash with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge have been ordered to pay over $100 million in damages to the U.S. government, according to an announcement from the Department of Justice. Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, which own and operate the vessel Dali, have agreed to this settlement, bringing a month-long civil lawsuit to a close.

The collision, which occurred on March 26, was described by the Justice Department as “one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory.” The incident not only claimed the lives of six construction workers but also sent significant amounts of debris tumbling into the Patapsco River, disrupting one of the nation’s busiest ports.

The settlement amount will be directed to the U.S. Treasury and other federal agencies that were directly affected by the crash or involved in the emergency response. Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, emphasized the significance of this outcome. “This is a tremendous outcome that fully compensates the United States for the costs it incurred in responding to this disaster and holds the owner and operator of the Dali accountable,” he stated in a press release.

Importantly, the settlement does not cover costs associated with the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The state of Maryland has filed a separate claim to recover those expenses. According to a spokesperson from Synergy Marine, the settlement strictly addresses the costs related to clearing the shipping channel and is “not indicative of any liability.” The spokesperson further noted, “No punitive damages have been imposed as part of this settlement. In accordance with the settlement, the United States has dismissed its claim.”

The U.S. government attributed the crash to failures in the ship’s electrical and mechanical systems, claiming that inadequate maintenance led to the Dali losing power and colliding with a bridge column. Tragically, the six individuals who lost their lives were construction workers engaged in pothole repairs on the bridge at the time of the accident, as they were thrown into the water due to the impact.

The aftermath of the Dali’s collision resulted in the release of tonnes of debris into the Patapsco River, which effectively paralyzed traffic at the Port of Baltimore for several months. In response to the disaster, the federal government coordinated efforts with numerous state and local agencies to clear the channel. They successfully removed approximately 50,000 tonnes of steel, concrete, and asphalt debris from both the shipping channel and the Dali itself.

The bridge collapse not only resulted in tragic loss of life but also caused significant economic repercussions, halting shipping activities and blocking a crucial route for local commuters. The Port of Baltimore finally reopened for commercial navigation in June, but the disruption caused by the incident highlighted vulnerabilities in maritime safety and infrastructure resilience.

While the settlement marks a step toward accountability for the disaster, it also underscores the ongoing challenges related to infrastructure maintenance and maritime operations. As the state continues to pursue its claims for reconstruction costs, the broader implications of the bridge collapse are likely to resonate within regulatory and safety discussions moving forward.

In summary, this substantial settlement aims to address the immediate financial impacts of the disaster while leaving open the questions surrounding liability and long-term infrastructure repair. As federal, state, and local authorities work together to restore normalcy, the focus remains on preventing similar tragedies in the future.