Maryland has reached a preliminary settlement with the owners and operators of the containership Dali, which is a critical advancement in addressing state-level claims related to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced this agreement with Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., which pertains to the vessel’s allision with the bridge on March 26, 2024. Although the financial details have not been disclosed, the settlement covers claims filed by the Maryland Civil Litigation Division on behalf of multiple agencies, including the Maryland Transportation Authority and the Maryland Department of the Environment.
While the agreement resolves claims against the Dali‘s owner and operator, it does not settle potential liabilities related to the shipbuilder, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, leaving an important aspect of the case open. The lawsuit, initiated in September 2024, accused the defendants of negligence and operating an unseaworthy vessel that should never have left port. Maryland is seeking damages for the bridge destruction, environmental impacts, and economic disruption caused by the incident.
The collapse resulted in the tragic deaths of six construction workers and was one of the most significant maritime infrastructure failures in U.S. history, leading to the temporary halt of shipping at the Port of Baltimore and significant disruptions for thousands of workers and surrounding communities. The ongoing economic repercussions continue to be felt nearly two years later. In addition to civil claims, the National Transportation Safety Board has identified a single loose signal wire as the cause of the incident, but questions about vessel operation and infrastructure vulnerabilities remain under investigation.
