Federal prosecutors on Tuesday charged the Singapore-based company that managed the cargo ship responsible for the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, along with a senior employee, in connection with the disaster that claimed six lives.

The indictment names Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. of Singapore and Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd. of Chennai, India. It also charges Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, a 47-year-old Indian national who served as the technical superintendent for the Dali container ship.

The Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, leading to its catastrophic collapse and killing six construction workers who were repairing potholes on the structure at the time.

Prosecutors have filed charges including conspiracy, failure to promptly notify the U.S. Coast Guard of a known hazardous condition, obstruction of a federal proceeding, and making false statements.

The FBI’s investigation centered on how the vessel was operated and whether those in charge were aware of serious mechanical issues before the ship departed.

According to findings by the National Transportation Safety Board, the ship suffered two electrical failures before the crash—one linked to a loose wire and another tied to a malfunctioning fuel pump—which left the vessel without steering control.

The Dali had departed from Baltimore en route to Sri Lanka when it lost power, rendering its steering system inoperable. At approximately 1:30 a.m., the ship collided with a key support column of the bridge.

Officials in Maryland estimate that rebuilding the bridge will cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, with completion projected for late 2030.

State officials say the broader consequences of the disaster extended far beyond the physical destruction. The collapse shut down shipping operations at the Port of Baltimore, disrupted thousands of jobs, forced traffic into already burdened communities, and caused widespread economic damage across the state.

The criminal charges follow a previously announced agreement in principle between the State of Maryland, Synergy Marine, and Grace Ocean Private Limited, the Singapore-based owner of the vessel, according to Attorney General Anthony Brown.

The civil lawsuit tied to that agreement alleges that the incident resulted from negligence, poor oversight, and the operation of a vessel that was unfit for service and should not have departed.

Those seeking damages include the families of the six victims, businesses whose cargo was aboard the ship, and government entities pursuing compensation for economic losses. While a settlement framework has been reached, details have not been made public and some claims remain unresolved.

Maryland has sought compensation for damage to public infrastructure, environmental harm to the Patapsco River, lost revenue, and the broader financial impact on the state and its residents.

The attorney general’s office has said that the agreement does not address potential claims against the shipbuilder, Hyundai.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major Baltimore landmark, served as a critical transportation route that allowed motorists to bypass the city’s downtown. The 1.6-mile steel structure took five years to complete and first opened in 1977.

{Matzav.com}