US Charges Ship Operator Over Deadly Baltimore Bridge Collapse

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

BALTIMORE, USA (Worthy News) – U.S. federal prosecutors announced criminal charges Tuesday against the operator of the cargo ship that struck and destroyed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in 2024, killing six construction workers.

The bridge in Baltimore, a major U.S. port city on America’s East Coast, carried thousands of vehicles daily around the city’s downtown area and served one of the nation’s busiest shipping hubs.

An indictment unsealed in federal court accuses Singapore-based Synergy Marine and a senior employee of conspiracy, obstruction, false statements, and failing to warn the U.S. Coast Guard about known hazardous conditions aboard the MV Dali container ship.

Also charged was Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, a 47-year-old Indian national who served as the vessel’s technical superintendent.

“The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence,” Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said.

DEADLY COLLAPSE

The MV Dali lost power, leaving the vessel without steering before crashing into a support column of the bridge in the early hours of March 26, 2024, while leaving the Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka.

The collapse killed six road construction workers repairing potholes on the bridge.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said two electrical blackouts disabled the ship’s controls shortly before the crash. One blackout was linked to a loose wire, while another was due to fuel pump problems.

Federal investigators alleged crew members and operators were aware of serious system issues before the vessel departed port.

BILLIONS IN DAMAGE

Maryland officials estimate replacing the bridge could cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, with completion expected by 2030.

Beyond the human toll, authorities said the collapse disrupted shipping at the Port of Baltimore, affected thousands of jobs, and caused widespread economic damage across Maryland.

These charges come months after Maryland reached a settlement in principle with Synergy Marine and Singapore-based shipowner Grace Ocean Private Limited over claims of negligence and the operation of an allegedly unseaworthy vessel.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, opened in 1977, was a major transportation link allowing traffic to bypass downtown Baltimore.

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