U.S. sues Singapore companies for Baltimore bridge collapse

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil complaint in federal court on Wednesday seeking $103 million in damages from the two corporations that owned and operated the cargo ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The Dali, a nearly 1,000-foot-long cargo ship, lost power and crashed into a bridge support, causing the bridge to collapse shortly before 2 a.m. on March 26. The crash killed six construction workers on the bridge and shut down a crucial northeastern shipping thoroughfare.

The DOJ sued ship owner Grace Ocean Private Limited and manager Synergy Marine Private Limited for costs incurred while responding to the disaster. Lawyers aim to recoup the millions of dollars it cost to remove the mangled remains of the more than 1 ½ mile-long steel bridge from the channel. The companies responsible for the crash should pay for cleanup, not American taxpayers, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. The suit also includes punitive damages to deter negligence from other shipping magnates.

Is the U.S. seeking money for the bridge’s reconstruction as well? The DOJ claim does not include costs to rebuild the bridge. The State of Maryland built, owned, maintained, and operated the bridge, meaning state attorneys are responsible for seeking damages from the company, the DOJ clarified.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report on the City of Baltimore’s lawsuit against the ship owners.