Singaporean companies whose ship sparked the Baltimore Bridge disaster were fined $100 million

Singaporean companies Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, which own and operate the cargo ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, will pay $102 million to resolve the related civil lawsuit. costs The collapse caused by the disaster, to get better and explosion.

residential The Ministry of Justice’s announcement on Thursday came after two Singapore firms sought to rely on an 1851 law limiting liability to $44 million following the costly disaster. The disaster occurred last March when the motor ship Dali was leaving the Port of Baltimore and setting course for Sri Lanka. While passing through the Fort McHenry Canal, the ship struggled to maintain and then regain full power before striking the bridge. Within seconds, the Baltimore Bridge collapsed, resulting in six deaths. The shipwreck and what was left of the bridge then blocked the canal, blocking ships entering and leaving the harbour. The disaster also caused the closure of a highway, preventing passengers from traveling.

“Almost seven months after one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory, which killed six people and caused untold damage, we have reached a significant milestone with today’s settlement,” said Principal Deputy Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer.

“Thanks to the hard work of Department of Justice lawyers since the first day of this disaster, we were able to achieve such an early resolution of our claim, just one month after the start of the case. This decision ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup of the Fort McHenry Canal will be covered by Grace Ocean and Synergy, not American taxpayers.”

According to the Department of Justice, approximately 50,000 tons of steel, concrete and asphalt had to be removed from the canal during the rescue response. The Department of Justice filed the civil suit in the Maryland District Court on September 18. The fine does not include damages resulting from the bridge’s reconstruction, and Maryland state prosecutors have filed their own lawsuit seeking damages.

“This is a tremendous outcome that fully recoups the costs incurred by the United States in responding to this disaster and holds DALI’s owner and operator accountable,” said Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton. Civil Division. “Quick resolution of this matter also avoids the expense of potentially years of litigation of this complex case.”

Two companies in April action was taken to protect themselves from liability, Limitation of Liability Act 1851accordingly lawrence brennanDr. D., professor of naval and international maritime law at Fordham University School of Law in New York. Luck In that case. The move was intended to limit liability for the ship’s post-accident value. Ultimately, it appears to have failed.

“Thanks to the hard work of Department of Justice attorneys since day one of this disaster, we were able to secure this early settlement of our claim, just one month after the start of litigation,” Mizer said. “This decision ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup of the Fort McHenry Canal will be covered by Grace Ocean and Synergy, not American taxpayers.”

This story first appeared on: Fortune.com