The cargo ship’s owner and manager deny liability, only accept responsibility for clearing the shipping channel.
The Department of Justice announced that a settlement was reached with two Singapore corporations that owned and managed the Dali, which struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, back in March. In settling $101,980,000 for the cleanup efforts, Grace Ocean Private Limited, who owned the ship, and Synergy Marine Private Limited, who managed it, have denied liability.
“This resolution ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel are borne by Grace Ocean and Synergy and not the American taxpayer,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer.
The companies had sought to limit their liability which caused the Justice Department to file suit in Maryland court. The money will go to the Treasury Department and federal agencies involved in clearing the wreckage and the shipping channel.
“This is a tremendous outcome that fully compensates the United States for the costs it incurred in responding to this disaster and holds the owner and operator of the DALI accountable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The prompt resolution of this matter also avoids the expense associated with litigating this complex case for potentially years.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For DOJ officials as they seek to hold corporations accountable for events such as damage to U.S. infrastructure.
- For Treasury officials and federal agency leaders to use the settlement funds efficiently.
Sources: CBS News, Department of Justice
