Maryland Reaches Settlement with Dali Owners Over Key Bridge Collapse
State of MD - Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced that the State of Maryland has reached a settlement in principle with Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., the owner and operator of the M/V Dali, over claims arising from the cargo ship's collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The settlement resolves claims brought by the Office of the Attorney General's Civil Litigation Division on behalf of the State and its agencies, including the Maryland Transportation Authority, the Maryland Port Administration, and the Maryland Department of the Environment.
The State worked alongside outside counsel with expertise in maritime and complex litigation.
Importantly, the agreement does not resolve any claims the State may still hold against the shipbuilder, Hyundai. That avenue of litigation remains open.
"For two years, Maryland workers, families, and communities have carried the weight of a disaster that should never have happened. The Dali's crash into the Key Bridge disrupted the Port of Baltimore, devastated livelihoods, and sent economic shockwaves across our State that are still being felt today. Our work is not finished, but this settlement is an important step toward making Maryland whole." - Attorney General Anthony G. Brown
On March 26, 2024, the M/V Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, triggering a catastrophe that immediately halted shipping at the Port of Baltimore. Six construction workers lost their lives in the collapse. Thousands more faced economic hardship in the months that followed.
The disaster disrupted the livelihoods of port workers, rerouted traffic through already burdened communities, and sent economic ripple effects across the state that continue to be felt today.
In September 2024, the State filed claims in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Those claims alleged that the allision resulted from negligence, mismanagement, and the operation of a vessel that was not seaworthy and should not have left port.
The State sought damages on behalf of its agencies for the destruction of the bridge, environmental harm to the Patapsco River, lost revenues, and broad economic losses sustained by Maryland and its residents.
The settlement is currently being finalized. The Office of the Attorney General stated it will have no further comment on the matter at this time.
