Introduction 

The tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March has led to a slew of legal actions against the shipowner responsible for the disaster. The situation is still in the swing and the matter has not been completely resolved. Recently, the state of Maryland officially filed a lawsuit against Grace Ocean Private Limited, the owner of the ship Dali, and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., the ship’s manager. 

Six months after a cargo ship collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, demolishing the structure and killing six workers, the U.S. Justice Department has filed a legal against the owner and operator of the vessel seeking more than $100 million in damages.

This lawsuit, led by Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, adds another layer to the growing legal proceedings targeting the entities believed to be responsible for the fatal crash that claimed six lives and caused significant economic disruption. The government is seeking to cover the costs of the sprawling emergency response to the disaster and the federal aid to port employees who were put out of work.

A brief recap of the catastrophic incident

The catastrophic disaster occurred when the giant cargo ship Dali, under the ownership of Grace Ocean Private Limited and currently managed by Synergy Marine Group, collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to its catastrophic incident. The crash caused a chain of tragic events, including the death of several workers. The overall damage to the Key Bridge led to many challenges and severe economic disruption. 

Since most of the Port of Baltimore was blocked by the wreckage from the bridge that fell into the Patapsco River, the disaster was particularly devastating. For a significant period, the blockage essentially stopped maritime operations, which caused enormous financial losses and delays for businesses dependent on the port.

According to investigations, Dali experienced electrical power outages. That prevented it from steering, and this issue was a major factor in the ship smashing the bridge. The fatal crash was the result of a series of mistakes, including malfunctioning backup systems, crew mistakes when restoring power, and tardiness in obeying ship pilots’ instructions. 

The lawsuit from Maryland claims that the ship’s management and crew not only overlooked important safety precautions on purpose but also failed to perform their jobs, increasing the likelihood of the accident. 

Seeking justice and accountability

The catastrophic incident happened because companies did not do their job properly and with precaution. The incident took lives and hindered the daily routine that passing through the main bridge. The owner of the ship Dali and other involved companies can not scapegoat the situation. With this lawsuit, Maryland aims to hold Grace Ocean Private Company accountable for the damages inflicted by its negligence. 

Attorney General Brown’s suit highlights the enormous toll the disaster has taken on the state and its citizens, emphasizing the loss of life and the strain on Maryland’s infrastructure.

In addition to inflicting damages, the state is demanding the following:

 

• Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement, with the accused compensating for all related expenses.

 

• Compensation for the costs of demolition, salvage operations, emergency response activities, and benefits given to employees and companies impacted by the collision.

 

• Settlement for revenue lost, such as tolls, taxes, and fees that were not received as a result of the bridge’s demolition and the ensuing economic downturn.

 

• Payment for damages to the state’s resources, fines for contamination, and expenses associated with environmental cleanup.

 

• Reimbursements for the additional burden that the collapsed bridge put on Maryland’s infrastructure, which had to withstand more traffic and weightier loads.

A growing wave of lawsuits

The lawsuit does not only have the one that emerged in the aftermath of the Key Bridge disaster. Apart from that the U.S. Justice Department filed a civil claim against the Grace Ocean Company and also on the Synery Marine Ltd. The government is looking to compensate more than $100 million cost the amount caused by the disruption, emergency response, and reopening of the Port of Baltimore. 

Moreover,  the personal and business-related claims, international companies affected by the port closure are seeking damages as well. For example, Marine Motor Yacht Sales, an Australian yacht brokerage, filed a lawsuit against Grace Ocean Private Limited after one of its yachts was trapped in the Port of Baltimore due to the bridge collapse, causing significant delays.

Economic disruption and environmental concerns

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge not only took the lives of several workers but also created a challenging situation for the whole state. Beyond the immediate loss of lives, the Bridge collapse shook the economic factors as well. The state’s economy has had a considerable impact as a result of the bridge collapse. 

Baltimore, one of the busiest ports on the East Coast, saw its operations crippled for months after the accident. The interruption of port activities caused ripple effects throughout the state, affecting jobs, businesses, and revenue streams. Heavy equipment suppliers and other businesses that rely on port access experienced delays and losses due to the extended closure.

Additionally, the collapse of the Bridge has placed an extra burden on Maryland’s transportation network. Since the bridge is the main route of the state almost every essential trade and other network is used that main route. After crashing the bridge the traffic shifted to the alternatives that caused disturbance in the city and increased traffic. 

This situation worsens an already challenging issue, as Maryland’s transportation system is critical to the movement of goods and people in the densely populated region.

Conclusion

Maryland’s decision to file its case represents a strong stance in defense of its citizens, infrastructure, and economy as lawsuits against the owners and operators of the ship Dali continue to pile up. In addition to financial losses, the lawsuit demands responsibility for the negligence that resulted in the catastrophe.

The perspective expressed by Attorney General Brown and Maryland citizens as a whole is that, although the state would seek to rebuild, it shouldn’t be made responsible for the financial burden brought on by the negligence of companies. The state will keep working to make sure those who were accountable for the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge are held financially and legally liable as the judicial process progresses.