US secures $100 million settlement over deadly Baltimore bridge collapse

The owners of a container ship that collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to one of the most catastrophic transportation disasters in recent memory, have been ordered to pay over $100 million in damages to the United States government. The US Department of Justice announced the settlement with Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the companies that owned and operated the vessel Dali.

The agreement brings an end to a civil lawsuit that stretched for months following the 26 March incident, which resulted in the deaths of six construction workers and sent large amounts of debris into the Patapsco River.

The settlement ensures the payment will go to the US Treasury and federal agencies that were directly impacted by the incident or contributed to the response efforts. In a press statement, Brian Boynton, the head of the Justice Department’s civil division, emphasized the significance of this outcome.

Boynton stated on Thursday that the settlement is a significant achievement that fully covers the costs incurred by the United States in responding to the disaster and holds the owner and operator of the Dali responsible.

While this settlement resolves federal claims, it does not cover the reconstruction costs of the Francis Scott Key Bridge itself. The state of Maryland has filed a separate lawsuit to address the damages to the bridge structure.

The US government attributed the incident to failures in the electrical and mechanical systems on the Dali. The lawsuit alleged that inadequate maintenance on the vessel caused it to lose power and collide with a supporting column of the bridge. The impact led to the collapse of sections of the bridge, resulting in the tragic deaths of six construction workers who were repairing potholes at the time. All six men were thrown into the water when the bridge gave way.

The collision also sent a massive amount of debris, including steel, concrete, and asphalt into the Patapsco River, bringing both road and maritime traffic to a standstill.

In the aftermath of the crash, the US government coordinated efforts involving dozens of federal, state, and local agencies to clear the shipping channel. The cleanup operation removed over 50,000 tonnes of material, both from the shipping lanes and the vessel itself. The blockage had a significant economic impact, freezing activity at the Port of Baltimore, one of the nation’s busiest ports, for months.

The bridge’s collapse and subsequent closure also disrupted a vital commuter route, complicating daily transportation for residents in the area. It wasn’t until June that the port was fully reopened to commercial traffic, allowing the area to begin its economic recovery.

The Justice Department described the collision as “one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory,” highlighting the extensive loss of life and widespread disruption to both the local community and broader shipping operations.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and safety protocols for large vessels navigating critical infrastructure. As Maryland pursues additional claims for the bridge reconstruction, the settlement with the US government aims to cover the immediate financial and logistical costs incurred in responding to this disaster.