The Justice Department has reached a settlement for more than $100 million with two corporations that owned and operated the container ship responsible for destroying Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, both Singaporean companies, will pay nearly $102 million to resolve a civil claim alleging that their cost-cutting measures and negligence in the ship’s maintenance led to the catastrophic collision.
In response to the incident, the city of Baltimore has filed its own claim against the two companies, and families of three victims have expressed their intention to sue. Furthermore, the FBI has initiated a criminal investigation into whether the ship’s crew failed to report a prior issue that delayed their departure.
The settlement payment, announced on Thursday, will be directed to the US Treasury and various federal agencies directly impacted by the crash or involved in the emergency response. Notably, the funds will not cover damages for the reconstruction of the bridge, as clarified by the Justice Department.
Benjamin Mizer, the Justice Department’s principal deputy associate attorney general, emphasized the significance of the settlement, stating, “Nearly seven months after one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory, which claimed six lives and caused untold damage, we have reached an important milestone with today’s settlement.” Mizer highlighted that the agreement ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel will be borne by Grace Ocean and Synergy, sparing the American taxpayer from shouldering the burden.
