Singapore Companies Settle $101.9 Million DOJ Claim for Baltimore Port Incident

Singapore Companies Settle $101.9 Million DOJ Claim for Baltimore Port Incident

Two Singapore-based companies pay a substantial settlement to the DOJ for the aftermath of a tragic collision, leaving many to ponder the fate of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

At a Glance

  • Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine agreed to $101.9 million settlement for Baltimore port incident.
  • The settlement excludes bridge reconstruction, costs sought separately by Maryland.
  • Six individuals perished in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
  • The companies’ attempt to limit liability under an 1851 law was unsuccessful.
  • The settlement allows for federal costs to be covered by the responsible companies.

A Catastrophic Collision

The Marine vessel Dali, operated by Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine, collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, leading to its collapse and significant loss of life. Six workers tragically lost their lives, and regional shipping operations were severely disrupted by the incident. The crash also severed a critical highway connection, amplifying the impact on the local infrastructure.

The incident resulted in nearly 50,000 tons of debris blocking the Fort McHenry Channel. Emergency efforts by federal, state, and local agencies cleared the debris, allowing shipping to resume by June through temporary channels.

Financial Settlement and the Law

Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine reached a settlement with the DOJ valued at $101.9 million to address federal cleanup costs. The companies initially sought to reduce their liability under the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851. However, their attempt proved unsuccessful when federal investigators suspected that the crash stemmed from preventable mismanagement of the vessel’s power systems. Maryland state attorneys have filed separate claims to cover bridge reconstruction costs.

“This is a tremendous outcome that fully compensates the United States for the costs it incurred in responding to this disaster and holds the owner and operator of the DALI accountable” – Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton

The state seeks additional federal support for replacing the bridge entirely. Efforts continue, as evidenced by the White House’s recent request for $3.1 billion from Congress for the Transportation Department’s emergency relief fund, highlighting the government’s proactive stance on infrastructure recovery.

Seeking Justice and Accountability

The Port of Baltimore incident underscored the importance of corporate accountability in U.S. waters. Benjamin C. Mizer noted, “we have reached an important milestone with today’s settlement,” a sentiment reflecting the DOJ’s determination to ensure justice. The swift settlement, concluded within a month of litigation, represents a cooperative effort by federal, state, and local bodies toward mitigating the disaster’s impact and restoring normalcy to vital trade routes.

The DOJ’s actions in this case highlight the significance of holding corporations accountable for preventable disasters, emphasizing adherence to safety regulations and maintenance standards. This ensures that taxpayer funds remain safeguarded, and similar incidents can be avoided in the future.

Sources:

Singaporean firms whose ship ignited the Baltimore Bridge catastrophe fined $100 million

DOJ settles Baltimore bridge lawsuit with ship interests for over $100 million

Owners of ship involved in baltimore bridge collapse settle do lawsuit for 100 million