The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland collapsed due to a shipping vessel, and the U.S. Justice Department has reached a settlement of over $100 million with the companies that owned and operated the vessel, Dali. Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Private Ltd. have agreed to pay $101,980,000 to cover the costs of responding to the collapse. The settlement will go to the U.S. Treasury and federal agencies affected by the incident. The U.S. had claimed civil damages totaling $103,078,056, and while this settlement does not cover costs to rebuild the bridge, it compensates for response costs. The Dali ship hit the bridge after losing power, causing it to collapse and blocking shipping at the Port of Baltimore for months. The U.S. coordinated efforts to remove debris and alleviate economic impacts. The settlement holds the owners of the Dali accountable and avoids long litigation. Six people died in the incident, and outstanding claims from the state of Maryland still remain. The prompt resolution of the case is seen as a positive outcome by the Justice Department.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
The ship operator involved in Baltimore bridge collapse agrees to $100 million settlement, according to Department of Justice
