DOJ sues cargo ship owner over Baltimore bridge crash in March

In March, a cargo ship named Dali crashed into the Francis Key Scott bridge in Baltimore, resulting in the deaths of six workers who were repairing potholes. The U.S. government has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the ship's owner and operator, Synergy and Grace Ocean, citing negligence and catastrophic failures on board. The lawsuit claims that the companies were aware of the ship's mechanical issues prior to the incident, which led to the loss of power and subsequent crash. The Justice Department stated that the costs incurred from the disaster, including clearing debris and reopening the Port of Baltimore, exceeded $100 million. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of holding the responsible companies accountable for the financial burden rather than passing it onto taxpayers. The crash has been labeled the most expensive marine casualty case in U.S. history. A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the Dali experienced electrical power loss four times within 12 hours before the collision. This information raises serious concerns about the maintenance of the ship's electrical and mechanical systems, which the lawsuit alleges were improperly managed. In addition to the federal lawsuit, the families of three victims have initiated their own legal action against Grace Ocean. The incident has not only caused tragic loss of life but has also significantly impacted commercial shipping operations in one of the busiest ports in the United States, leading to extensive delays and repair efforts.