On March 26, 2024, the container ship Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, United States, resulting in a tragic loss of life and significant property damage. The accident, captured on video, raised concerns about the competence and certification of Indian seafarers who make up a substantial portion of the global shipping workforce. While the investigation is ongoing, the Indian government has acted quickly to protect the reputation of its seafarers by becoming a Substantially Interested State in the investigation. This action ensures that Indian officials will have a chance to review the final report and contest any unfair damage to Indian seafarer reputation.
Results for: Francis Scott Key Bridge
Four weeks after a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse, the Port of Baltimore has reopened with a new deep-water channel. The Balsa 94 is the first cargo ship to navigate the new 35-foot channel. Two workers who were thrown into the water survived, and the bodies of four victims have been recovered. Two more workers are still missing and presumed dead. The collapse brought maritime traffic to a halt, but crews are still working through the massive cleanup process. The new temporary channel will remain open until Monday or Tuesday of next week.
The City of Baltimore has released a report stating that the ship that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge was not seaworthy when it left port. The report alleges that the ship, named the Dali, was operated by an incompetent crew and that warnings about the bridge’s fragility had been disregarded.
A deeper channel has been opened in Baltimore, allowing five of seven cargo ships stuck in the harbor to leave. The new channel is 35 feet deep, a significant improvement over previous temporary channels. Crews have cleared over 2,900 tons of debris to make the channel accessible. Officials hope to reopen the main channel in May after removing the grounded ship, the Dali, which caused the bridge collapse. The mayor and city council have called for the ship’s owners to be held liable for the economic impact of the closure.
The city of Baltimore filed a lawsuit against the owner and manager of the ship that struck and destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, alleging that the companies provided the vessel with an incompetent crew lacking proper skills and training. The city is seeking unspecified damages for the loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption caused by the collapse. The companies have previously petitioned the court to limit their potential liability payouts, but Baltimore has opposed this request.
Baltimore filed a lawsuit against Grace Ocean Pte Ltd. and Synergy Marine Group, the owner and operator of the container ship that collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26. The city seeks unspecified damages, alleging the ship was experiencing inconsistent power supply, making the decision to set sail criminally negligent. The incident resulted in the loss of two workers, with two more still missing and presumed dead. The lawsuit also alleges crew members were incompetent and lax in carrying out their duties.
Baltimore is seeking full liability from the owner and manager of the ship that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse and killing six workers. City officials allege negligence, claiming the companies should have ensured the ship’s fitness and crewed it competently.