Federal officials revealed on Tuesday that criminal charges have been lodged against the Singaporean operator and crew of the container ship involved in the sinking of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore two years ago.
The indictment, which was filed on April 8, identifies Singapore-based Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, India-based Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd, and Indian technical supervisor Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair as key defendants.
The charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, failing to promptly inform the U.S. Coast Guard about hazardous conditions, obstruction of a governmental process, and making false statements.
Authorities assert that the company improperly altered the Dali container ship’s flushing pump to supply fuel to its generators, leading to a second power failure after the initial one, which was caused by loose wires. U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes stated during a press conference that had the Dali employed appropriate fuel pumps, it could have regained power in time to navigate safely under the bridge.
Authorities contend that such modifications to flushing pumps violate international law and allege that management, including Nair, was aware of the risks posed by their improper use.
Further complicating matters, it was claimed that after the incident, Nair misled the National Transportation Safety Board regarding the use of the flushing pump by the Dali.
Investigators uncovered that flushing pumps had been used on three of the company’s vessels, including the Dali.
In response to the indictment, Synergy Marine Group rejected the allegations, asserting that investigators had determined the accident was unavoidable due to loose wires. A spokesperson for the company described the indictment as criminalizing an unfortunate event and claimed the charges are baseless, not reflective of the findings by maritime experts involved in the investigation.
This news comes a month after Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine reached an initial settlement with Maryland regarding damages from the bridge collapse, which included disruptions and environmental impacts. A civil trial is set for the summer.
On March 26, 2024, around 1:30 a.m., the Dali, while en route from the Port of Baltimore to Sri Lanka, suffered a power failure, collided with a support pier, and subsequently fell into the Patapsco River.
The collision resulted in the deaths of six construction workers who were repairing the bridge at that time. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche characterized the bridge’s collapse as an “avoidable tragedy” and emphasized that this indictment is a significant move toward holding those responsible accountable for their reckless disregard for maritime safety.
Estimates suggest that replacing the bridge could cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, with a planned reopening in late 2030.
