US Charges Singapore Ship Operator, Employee in Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Federal officials announced Tuesday that criminal charges have been filed against the Singaporean operator of the container ship that brought down Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge more than two years ago, along with one of its employees.

The indictment, filed April 8, accuses Synergy Marine Private Limited, Synergy Maritime Private Limited and technical superintendent Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, an Indian national, of conspiracy to defraud the United States, misconduct resulting in death and obstruction, among other counts.

Prosecutors allege the company improperly altered flushing pumps on the Dali to supply fuel to two of the ship's generators. That change caused a second blackout after the ship lost power initially from a loose wire.

"The indictment alleges that if the Dali had been using the proper fuel supply pumps, then the vessel would have regained power in time to safely navigate under the Key Bridge," U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes said at a press conference.

Use of the flushing pumps violates international law. Authorities say the company's operators, including Nair, knew about the improper use and the risks it created, Hayes said.

"The indictment further alleges that after the crash, Nair falsely told the National Transportation Safety Board that he was unaware that the Dali was using the flushing pump," she added.

Investigators found evidence of the pumps on three ships operated by the company, including the Dali, officials said.

The charges follow a settlement between Grace Ocean Private Limited, Synergy Marine Private Limited and the federal government over damages from the bridge collapse. Those include port disruptions and environmental harm. A civil trial is scheduled for the summer.

On March 26, 2024, the Dali lost power while leaving Baltimore Harbor and struck a support pier. The bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River, killing six construction workers on the span.

"The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence," Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said. "This indictment is a critical step toward holding accountable those whose reckless disregard for maritime safety regulations caused this disaster."