The owners and operators of the Dali cargo ship, which collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, are seeking to limit their liability following the tragic incident that resulted in the collapse of the bridge and the loss of six lives. Grace Ocean, the owner of the Singapore-flagged Dali, and Synergy Marine, the ship’s manager, have filed a joint petition in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland to cap their liability at approximately $43.7 million.
The petition outlines the events leading up to the collision, stating that the ship departed from the Port of Baltimore with two tugs and a pilot on board. The Dali lost power and propulsion shortly after entering the shipping channel, ultimately crashing into the bridge in the early hours of March 26. The companies are seeking to limit their liability based on the value of the ship and its cargo, minus the costs of repairs and salvage.
The collapse of the bridge and the subsequent closure of the Port of Baltimore are expected to have significant repercussions on the global freight industry and the Maryland economy. Efforts are underway to quickly clear the channel and resume shipping operations from the port. Crews have already begun the process of removing the wreckage from the bridge.
This legal filing is a standard procedure in cases involving maritime law and aims to establish the extent of the owners’ liability in the aftermath of this tragic incident.
