Almost six months after the collision with the bridge in Baltimore, the container ship “Dali” is on its way to a repair yard.
The “Dali” left US territorial waters at the end of last week and has set course for Ningbo in China, where extensive repairs are due. It should arrive there in a good six weeks.
The ship chartered by Maersk (built in 2005, 9,962 TEU) rammed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March after a blackout on board, causing it to collapse and killing six bridge workers. The owner is the company Grace Ocean, the ship manager is Synergy Marine.
Crew of the “Dali” allegedly acted negligently
Just last week, the US Department of Justice filed a civil suit in the amount of US$103m against the owner and manager of the container ship. The claim is based on negligence on the part of the crew and the unseaworthy condition of the ship. Previously known problems in the power supply system had not been rectified.
Previous investigations had revealed that the power supply system and then the engines failed twice on board the “Dali”, with the ship ramming into the bridge after a long blackout.
The city of Baltimore, whose important automobile port was blocked for months, has also taken legal action. Lawyers have also filed a lawsuit on behalf of two injured workers. The proceedings are expected to drag on for years.
