Maryland Reaches Settlement with Owner and Operator of Vessel Involved in Fatal Bridge Collision

Maryland Reaches Settlement with Owner and Operator of Cargo Ship Involved in Deadly Bridge Collapse

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland has reached a settlement with Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, the owner and operator of the massive cargo ship that crashed into a Baltimore bridge two years ago, causing its deadly collapse, state officials announced Thursday.

The settlement in principle was reached with the companies, which own and operate the M/V Dali, Attorney General Anthony Brown said. The settlement resolves a portion of the state's claims arising from the ship's crash into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024.

The state's claims, filed in federal court in Maryland in September 2024, alleged that the disaster was the result of negligence, mismanagement, and the reckless operation of a vessel that was not seaworthy and should never have left port. The state sought damages on behalf of its agencies for the destruction of the bridge, harm to the Patapsco River and surrounding environment, lost revenues, and the wide-ranging economic losses sustained by Maryland and its residents.

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The collapse of the bridge brought shipping at the Port of Baltimore to a complete halt, disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of workers, rerouted traffic through communities already bearing disproportionate burdens, and triggered economic ripple effects still being felt across the state. The bridge, a longstanding Baltimore landmark, was a vital piece of transportation infrastructure that allowed drivers to easily bypass downtown.

The Maryland Transportation Authority estimated the price range of a new bridge alone to be between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, with an anticipated open-to-traffic date in late 2030. The settlement does not resolve any claims the state may have against the shipbuilder, Hyundai.

Comparison of Economic Impact

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The economic losses sustained by Maryland and its residents are still being felt today, with the state's claims alleging that the disaster disrupted the Port of Baltimore, devastated livelihoods, and sent economic shockwaves across the state. The state's work in making Maryland whole is not yet finished, but this settlement is an important step toward achieving that goal.