Maryland Reaches Settlement with Cargo Ship Owner Over Bridge Crash

The $350 million settlement resolves a portion of the state's claims from the 2024 disaster that killed 6 workers.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:52am

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A highly detailed, photorealistic studio photograph of a polished chrome ship's steering wheel resting on a clean white background, conveying the mechanical failure that caused the tragic bridge collapse.A chrome-plated ship's steering wheel, a symbol of the mechanical failure that led to the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse, stands as a somber reminder of the disaster's lasting impact.Baltimore Today

The state of Maryland has reached a settlement with the owner and operator of the cargo ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore two years ago, causing the deadly collapse of the bridge. The settlement resolves a portion of the state's claims against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, the owner and operator of the M/V Dali ship. The crash disrupted the Port of Baltimore, devastated livelihoods, and sent economic shockwaves across the state.

Why it matters

The bridge collapse was a major disaster for Maryland, causing significant damage to infrastructure, the environment, and the state's economy. This settlement represents an important step towards resolving the complex litigation surrounding the incident and providing some compensation to the state and its residents who were impacted.

The details

In March 2024, the M/V Dali cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the bridge to collapse. Six road crew workers who were filling potholes on the bridge were killed in the disaster. The state filed claims against the ship's owner and operator, alleging negligence, mismanagement, and that the ship was not seaworthy and should not have left port. This settlement resolves a portion of those claims, though the state still has outstanding claims against the shipbuilder, Hyundai.

  • The M/V Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024.
  • Maryland filed its claims against the ship's owner and operator in federal court in September 2024.
  • The settlement was announced by the Maryland Attorney General on April 11, 2026.

The players

Grace Ocean Private Limited

The owner of the M/V Dali cargo ship that crashed into the Baltimore bridge.

Synergy Marine Pte Ltd

The operator of the M/V Dali cargo ship that crashed into the Baltimore bridge.

Anthony Brown

The Attorney General of Maryland who announced the settlement.

Hyundai

The shipbuilder of the M/V Dali cargo ship, against whom Maryland still has outstanding claims.

ACE American Insurance Company

The insurance company that paid Maryland $350 million, the limit of the state's policy, related to the bridge collapse.

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What’s next

The settlement does not resolve any claims the state may have against the shipbuilder, Hyundai. The Maryland Transportation Authority has estimated the price range of a new bridge to be between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, with an anticipated open-to-traffic date in late 2030.

The takeaway

This settlement represents an important step in Maryland's efforts to hold accountable the parties responsible for the devastating bridge collapse that disrupted the state's economy and claimed the lives of six workers. However, the state's work is not finished, as it continues to pursue claims against other involved parties to fully address the wide-ranging impacts of this disaster.