Baltimore has taken legal action against the owner and manager of the ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge last month, leading to its collapse. The Dali, a 213-million-pound cargo ship owned by Grace Ocean Private Limited and managed by Synergy Marine PTE LTD, is at the center of the claim.
According to the claim filed by Baltimore's mayor and City Council, both companies are accused of providing the vessel with an 'incompetent crew' lacking proper skill and training. The city is seeking unspecified damages from Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of March 26 when the Dali, which had lost power and veered off course, struck the Key Bridge. The collision resulted in the immediate collapse of the bridge, claiming at least six lives, causing property damage, and disrupting the region's economic activities.
The claim highlights that the Dali departed from port despite indications of an inconsistent power supply, raising concerns about the ship's readiness for the journey.
Baltimore's legal pursuit aims to secure compensation for the losses incurred by the city, its residents, and businesses due to the Key Bridge catastrophe. The city emphasized that the responsibility for the incident lies with the companies involved and not with the city itself.
Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine had previously petitioned for a $43.6 million limit on liability payouts, a request that Baltimore is contesting in court. The companies refrained from commenting further on the matter, citing ongoing investigations and potential legal proceedings.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Coast Guard are conducting a criminal investigation into the ship crash, focusing on whether the crew failed to report a prior issue that delayed the ship's departure. Federal authorities are actively looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
