On 26 March 26, the M/V Dali container ship crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, sending several vehicles on the bridge plunging into the river and killing six construction workers

Criminal charges filed against the owner of the cargo ship Dali, two years after the vessel struck the Maryland landmark bridge, causing its collapse

Synergy Marine, the company that operated the ship, along with one of its employees, has been charged with conspiracy, obstruction and misconduct resulting in death, among other offenses

Prosecutors allege the company misled investigators about conditions on the ship and failed to disclose hazards and other safety concerns to the US Coast Guard

“DOJ is criminalizing a tragic accident,” Synergy has responded, adding, “The allegations in the indictment are baseless and have nothing to do with the DALI’s collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge”

In a separate civil case, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced on Tuesday that the state had reached a settlement of $2.25bn with Synergy Marine over the bridge collapse

This settlement resolves a suit Maryland filed against Synergy in 2024 for damages related to the destruction of the bridge, environmental harm, lost toll revenues and other economic losses for Maryland and its residents

The vessel’s owner has already paid DOJ over $100m to settle a civil claim over the damages to the bridge

Synergy also has paid $350m to the state of Maryland’s insurance company

Criminal charges filed against the owner of the cargo ship Dali, two years after the vessel struck Baltimore’s Key Bridge, causing its collapse and killing six people

Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against the owner of the cargo ship Dali, two years after the vessel struck Baltimore’s Key Bridge, causing its collapse and killing six people.
The Justice Department on Tuesday announced 18 charges against the operators of the 100,000-plus-ton cargo ship that crashed into a Maryland bridge more than two years ago.
The 984-foot ship Dali lost power twice and slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of March 26, 2024, as a work crew was fixing potholes.
Six construction workers died when the bridge structure collapsed into the Patapsco River below.
Another construction worker fell into the waters below. He sustained serious injuries but survived.
An inspector working as a subcontractor for the Maryland Transportation Authority escaped the collapse without injuries.
The nearly two dozen crew members on the ship survived, along with two pilots who were helping the vessel navigate the harbor.
A National Transportation Safety Board report determined that the Singapore-flagged cargo ship was transiting out of Baltimore harbor when it lost power and propulsion before striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The 900-foot ship Dali lost power twice and slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of March 26, 2024, as a work crew was fixing potholes

Synergy Marine, the company that operated the ship, along with one of its employees, has been charged with conspiracy, obstruction and misconduct resulting in death, among other offenses.
Federal prosecutors said they were charging the international companies Synergy Marine Pte Ltd and Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd, as well as ship technical superintendent Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair.
The charges included conspiracy to defraud the United States and misconduct or neglect of ship officers that resulted in death.

DOJ on Tuesday announced 18 charges against the operators of the 100,000-plus-ton cargo ship that crashed into a Maryland bridge more than two years ago

Prosecutors allege the company misled investigators about conditions on the ship and failed to disclose hazards and other safety concerns to the US Coast Guard.
A spokesperson for Synergy said the company “will defend against these allegations with vigor”.
“DOJ is criminalizing a tragic accident,” the company said.
“The allegations in the indictment are baseless and have nothing to do with the DALI’s collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge.”
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche in a statement issued on Tuesday said the collapse of the bridge was “a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence”.
“This indictment is a critical step toward holding accountable those whose reckless disregard for maritime safety regulations caused this disaster,” Blanche said.

Feds said DOJ if the crew had used “proper” fuel supply, the vessel would have regained power before hitting the bridge. Synergy maintains that the vessel’s use of the flushing pump was “wholly irrelevant to the cause” of the crash

If the crew had used “proper” fuel supply, the vessel would have regained power before hitting the bridge, they added.
In its statement, Synergy said the vessel’s use of the flushing pump was “wholly irrelevant to the cause” of the crash.
The indictment also states that Synergy employees knew about the improper use of the flushing pump and “took steps to hide the use” on the Dali and other vessels.
Prosecutors also allege the company falsified safety records.
Meanwhile, in a separate civil case, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced on Tuesday that the state had reached a settlement of $2.25bn with Synergy Marine over the bridge collapse.
This settlement resolves a suit the state brought against the company in 2024 for damages related to the destruction of the bridge, environmental harm, lost toll revenues and other economic losses for Maryland and its residents.
The vessel’s owner has already paid the justice department over $100m to settle a civil claim over the damages to the bridge, as well as $350m to the state of Maryland’s insurance company.