On March 26, 2024, the container ship Dali lost power while departing Baltimore for Sri Lanka, colliding with the Francis Scott Key Bridge and causing a deadly collapse that resulted in the deaths of six construction workers.

The disaster has significantly disrupted commercial shipping traffic in the Port of Baltimore, increased local commute times, and left many longshoremen without work, with lasting impacts anticipated for affected trucking businesses.

In the evolving liability case, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Group, the ship's owner and manager, are attempting to shift blame to Maryland state officials, claiming inadequate bridge protection against ship strikes.

Claimants, including families of the deceased workers, state and local governments, and businesses, accuse the companies of neglecting the Dali's maintenance and sending an unseaworthy vessel into Maryland waters.

Attorneys for Grace Ocean and Synergy argue that state officials failed to adequately protect the bridge from ship strikes and question the installation of faulty electrical equipment on the Dali.

Recently, Grace Ocean and Synergy agreed to pay over $102 million in cleanup costs to the U.S. Department of Justice, a payment they assert does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.

Following the incident, the FBI launched a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the bridge collapse and the ship's loss of power.

Judge James Bredar is overseeing the case, which could become the most expensive marine casualty case in history, as nearly 50 entities have filed claims against the companies.

The discovery process is expected to involve extensive depositions that may lead to a bench trial, with some federal claims possibly being settled sooner.

The federal case is anticipated to be followed by additional lawsuits in Maryland state courts.

In the aftermath of the incident, the companies filed a federal petition seeking to limit their liability, which has resulted in nearly 50 opposing claims being filed.

William Bennett, representing Grace Ocean, is calling for significant liability to be assigned to state officials, citing historical failures in bridge protection.