Nearly seven months following a devastating incident where the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland met its demise due to a collision with the shipping vessel Dali, a significant financial settlement has been reached.
The U.S. Justice Department announced that Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Private Ltd., the entities behind the operation of the Dali, will pay upwards of $100 million to address the civil claims initiated by the U.S. government. This payment, amounting to $101,980,000, aims to cover the extensive costs incurred in response to what has been described as a "catastrophic collapse" of a vital infrastructure component.
This settlement directs a substantial sum into the coffers of the U.S. Treasury and benefits various federal agencies directly impacted by or involved in managing the aftermath of this disaster. Stemming from a complaint filed on September 18, the U.S sought damages under several legislative acts including the Rivers and Harbors Act, Oil Pollution Act, and general maritime law, tallying up to more than $103 million.
While this resolution marks a significant step towards accountability for this tragedy, it's noted that it does not encompass funds for rebuilding the bridge itself—a task falling under Maryland's jurisdiction given its ownership and maintenance responsibilities. Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General leading the Justice Department’s Civil Division emphasized that this settlement not only reimburses the United States for its response efforts but also signifies holding accountable those responsible for operating Dali.
The incident unfolded in dramatic fashion early on March 26 when after departing from Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka; Dali encountered power outages leading to its catastrophic collision with Key Bridge. This event resulted in tragic loss of life—six bridge workers were killed—and caused significant disruptions including impeding maritime traffic crucial for Baltimore's port operations and obstructing an essential transportation route for local commuters.
In response to this unprecedented challenge, an extensive coordinated effort led by U.S authorities ensued. It involved removing around 50,000 tons of debris comprising steel, concrete, and asphalt from both Fort McHenry Channel and Dali itself while establishing alternative routes to alleviate some economic impacts caused by halted port operations.
This settlement underscores a commitment towards swift justice and remediation efforts following such disasters while highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring safety within maritime transport channels and infrastructure resilience.
The U.S. Justice Department announced that Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Private Ltd., the entities behind the operation of the Dali, will pay upwards of $100 million to address the civil claims initiated by the U.S. government. This payment, amounting to $101,980,000, aims to cover the extensive costs incurred in response to what has been described as a "catastrophic collapse" of a vital infrastructure component.
This settlement directs a substantial sum into the coffers of the U.S. Treasury and benefits various federal agencies directly impacted by or involved in managing the aftermath of this disaster. Stemming from a complaint filed on September 18, the U.S sought damages under several legislative acts including the Rivers and Harbors Act, Oil Pollution Act, and general maritime law, tallying up to more than $103 million.
While this resolution marks a significant step towards accountability for this tragedy, it's noted that it does not encompass funds for rebuilding the bridge itself—a task falling under Maryland's jurisdiction given its ownership and maintenance responsibilities. Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General leading the Justice Department’s Civil Division emphasized that this settlement not only reimburses the United States for its response efforts but also signifies holding accountable those responsible for operating Dali.
The incident unfolded in dramatic fashion early on March 26 when after departing from Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka; Dali encountered power outages leading to its catastrophic collision with Key Bridge. This event resulted in tragic loss of life—six bridge workers were killed—and caused significant disruptions including impeding maritime traffic crucial for Baltimore's port operations and obstructing an essential transportation route for local commuters.
In response to this unprecedented challenge, an extensive coordinated effort led by U.S authorities ensued. It involved removing around 50,000 tons of debris comprising steel, concrete, and asphalt from both Fort McHenry Channel and Dali itself while establishing alternative routes to alleviate some economic impacts caused by halted port operations.
This settlement underscores a commitment towards swift justice and remediation efforts following such disasters while highlighting ongoing challenges in ensuring safety within maritime transport channels and infrastructure resilience.
