In a landmark settlement, the Justice Department has reached a $103 million agreement with Grace Ocean Private Ltd., the owner of the ill-fated Dali container ship, over the devastating collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year. The tragic incident left six dead, injured others, and paralyzed the Port of Baltimore, triggering an extensive federal investigation and a civil lawsuit.
The massive settlement, announced Thursday, is intended to cover the government’s response and recovery costs. The companies involved initially fought for a much lower cap of $43.6 million on liabilities, but mounting evidence led to a swift and costly resolution. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton praised the outcome, emphasizing it holds the ship’s owner accountable while sparing years of prolonged litigation.
Maryland and numerous private claimants—including survivors, bereaved families, and affected businesses—are also pursuing damages, arguing that Grace Ocean and its operator, Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., knowingly dispatched an unfit vessel into the harbor. According to federal findings, the Dali experienced critical failures in its propeller, rudder, anchor, and bow thruster just minutes before the crash. This litany of malfunctions, authorities allege, stemmed from systematic safety lapses and poorly trained staff.
The ship’s collision, which took place in the early hours of March 26, sent seven workers into the water. Only one survived, leaving behind grieving families and a massive repair bill for the state. The FBI has since launched a criminal probe into the ship’s operators, examining whether crew members knowingly ignored or concealed the vessel’s dire mechanical issues.
A judge will meet with attorneys next Tuesday to set the timeline for further proceedings as Grace Ocean faces an uphill battle in defending against multiple claims.
