Indictment after bridge collapse in Baltimore

Two companies and a technical superintendent are suspected of being responsible for the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland. A U.S. federal court has filed charges against Synergy Marine Pte Ltd from Singapore, Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd from Chennai, India, as well as against the technical superintendent of the M/V Dali. The charges include conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States and the negligent homicide of six construction workers who were working on the bridge at the time of the incident.

On March 26, 2024, the 274-meter-long container ship Dali, operating under a foreign flag, collided with the bridge. The indictment estimates economic damages of at least $5 billion. The two Synergy companies are also charged with violations of the Clean Water Act, the Oil Pollution Act, and the Refuse Act for discharging pollutants, including oil and container contents, into the Patapsco River.

Reactions from authorities

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the incident as a preventable tragedy with enormous consequences. “This indictment is a crucial step in holding accountable those whose reckless behavior endangered maritime safety,” Blanche stated. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes emphasized the importance of safety for the residents and infrastructure of the Maryland region and announced that the prosecution would continue to pursue offenders who jeopardize these interests.

Adam Gustafson, Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Environmental Protection Agency, pointed out that the indictment reveals criminal behavior that not only destroyed the bridge but also severely impacted the regional economy. “Compliance with laws governing the safe operation of commercial vessels is critical for operations in our ports,” Gustafson said.

Details of the indictment

According to the indictment, the Dali lost power twice within four minutes while departing from the Port of Baltimore, leading to the collision with the bridge. A loose cable in a high-voltage switchbox is suspected to be the cause of the first power failure. The indictment states that the ship’s systems were originally equipped with reliable redundancies and automatic restart functions to quickly become operational again after a power failure. However, the ship’s structure was altered, resulting in a pump system that was not designed for automatic restart after a power failure.

Additionally, Synergy and the ship’s superintendent are charged with obstructing a governmental proceeding and making false statements to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

It should be noted that an indictment merely represents an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

www.justice.gov