Businesses Sue Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine for ‘Preventable’ Baltimore Bridge Disaster

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine PTE LTD, the owner and manager of the M/V Dali, following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, 2024.

The suit, brought by a coalition of businesses including R.E. West, Inc., Captain C Logistics LLC, and American Publishing LLC, seeks millions in damages for economic harm caused by the bridge collapse and port closure.

The lawsuit alleges that the Dali, a 985-foot containership, departed from the Port of Baltimore despite known mechanical failures.

While navigating the Fort McHenry Channel, the vessel experienced a series of power failures—losing power, briefly regaining it, then losing it again—before ultimately striking the bridge. The impact sent sections of the bridge plummeting into the Patapsco River, killing six workers and blocking access to the Port of Baltimore for months.

The plaintiffs in the case include several companies whose operations were severely impacted by the collapse.

The suit alleges that Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine knowingly allowed the Dali to set sail, despite alarms indicating power failures and the unseaworthiness of the ship.

The plaintiffs argue that the disaster was entirely preventable. The lawsuit outlines how Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine allegedly ignored safety protocols, failed to repair crucial engine systems, and pressured the crew to depart Baltimore, despite knowing the ship was unfit to navigate the Patapsco River.

The suit accuses Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine of gross negligence, recklessness, and intentional misconduct, an alleges that the companies prioritized delivering cargo on time, knowing that the ship’s power systems were failing and that the Key Bridge was vulnerable to such an allision. The plaintiffs argue that this decision was motivated by financial gain and made in full awareness of the potential dangers.

The destruction of the Key Bridge has also impacted businesses far beyond the port. American Publishing LLC, based in Baltimore, saw its advertising revenues plummet as local businesses shut down, while construction firm B&R Construction Services was forced to pay steep overtime and material costs to keep its projects on track.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Maryland, also seeks punitive damages, arguing that the conduct of Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine was so egregious that they must be held accountable beyond simple compensation.

The class action lawsuit follows Maryland’s recent filing of civil claims against Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine. The state is seeking damages for bridge repairs, cleanup, and environmental harm, describing the incident as “entirely preventable.” At the same time, the U.S. Justice Department is pursuing $103 million in damages, accusing the companies of sending “an ill-prepared crew on an abjectly unseaworthy vessel to navigate the United States’ waterways.”

The legal actions come as Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine have sought to limit their liability to approximately $44 million.

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