The mayor and City Council of Baltimore have filed a lawsuit against the owner and manager of the ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge last month, allegedly killing six people.
On March 26, the 985-foot-long vessel collided with one of the bridge’s supports, collapsing the structure into the Maryland Harbor.
The Dali, which was carrying 4,700 shipping containers at the time of the accident, is owned by Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Limited and managed by Synergy Marine PTE LTD.
Both companies are named in the lawsuit filed Monday by the city of Baltimore. The city is seeking significant damages beyond the funds needed to rebuild the bridge, as well as costs associated with loss of trade, tax revenue and social welfare costs.
The claim I saw Lucklays out more than 20 allegations of failure by Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine, pointing out that thousands of boats a day passed under the bridge before the incident.
“None of this should have happened,” the lawsuit says. “Reports indicate that even before leaving the port, alarms sounded, indicating that Dali’s power supply was unstable. “Dali” still left the port, despite its clearly unseaworthy condition.”
The Dali was bound for Sri Lanka, but the statement added that 12 minutes after leaving the berth, the ship’s flight recorder recorded “multiple audible alarms” associated with a loss of power.
The statement goes on to say that although there was a backup generator on board, it was not powerful enough to bring the boat back under control, meaning it hit the bridge at approximately 7 knots.
Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine sought to limit their liabilities in the case to $43.67 million under a pre-Civil War defense, meaning their liability could be limited to the value of the ship’s remains after the accident.
Limitation of liability, filed by both companies in early April, also categorically denies any involvement on their part in what happened. It said: “The victimization was not due to any fault, neglect or lack of care on the part of the complainants. [Grace Ocean and Synergy]the vessel or any natural or legal persons for whose actions the applicants may be held liable.”
He adds that if any such violations did occur (which he denies), they “occurred and occurred without the applicants’ secrecy or knowledge.”
In the weeks and months following the incident, Synergy Group repeatedly expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the incident. In a statement on April 2, the company added: “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our crew during this time is our highest priority. After the incident, we actively participated in a number of actions in their support.”
But documentation from Baltimore, filed weeks later, provides a compelling rebuttal to the business’s denial. A statement this week said the company provided Dali with an “incompetent” and “inattentive” crew who lacked the necessary skills and training to work on board.
The lawsuit also alleges that the companies “provided the vessel with unseaworthy equipment” and failed to maintain the vessel’s engines, systems and steering.
Luck Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine have been contacted for comment.
“The economic engine has stopped”
Baltimore’s mayor and City Council have already denied the maritime industry’s request to limit liability, asking the court to deny the petition and find the couple “liable for all damages resulting from Dali’s alliance with the Key Bridge.”
And if the mayor’s office receives the desired amounts, then most likely it will be significantly more than $43 million.
Court documents indicate that in 2023 alone, the Port of Baltimore generated more than $70 billion in revenue and 51,365 direct, induced and indirect jobs supported by the port.
This “economic engine” that was once a “reliable constant” for the city of Baltimore “stopped” on March 26, the lawsuit continues. “It is difficult to overstate the port’s import to the local economy,” the lawsuit states.
Therefore, the proposed legislation for shipping companies is long. Baltimore is seeking funds to cover the costs of designing, constructing and reconstructing the bridge, as well as to cover costs associated with closing the Patapsco River after the collision.
In addition, the city is seeking damages to cover disruptions to transportation around Baltimore, costs needed to improve road maintenance for traffic that would otherwise cross the bridge, increased costs for police services, fire services and overtime for other government employees. .
Elsewhere, Baltimore is insisting that companies cover income and property tax losses as well as bills for the cleanup operation after the incident. Baltimore is also seeking a fee for public hazards caused by the collision and accumulation of “hazardous substances” caused by the port’s curtailment of operations.