US Department of Justice files US$100m lawsuit against MV Dali owner and operator

The US Department of Justice (USDOJ) has filed a US$100m civil claim in the US District Court for the District of Maryland against Grace Ocean Private Ltd and Synergy Marine Private Ltd, the owner and operator of the MV Dali container ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge. 

The lawsuit seeks to recover the costs that the US incurred in responding to the disaster and for clearing the wreck and bridge debris from the navigable channel so the port could reopen. 

On March 26, the vessel left the Port of Baltimore for Sri Lanka and lost power twice while navigating through the Fort McHenry Channel before colliding into the bridge, which collapsed and resulted in the deaths of six people.