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Ship Manager Denies Negligence in Baltimore Bridge Collapse Case

Singapore-based Synergy Marine rejected negligence allegations in connection with the 2024 Baltimore bridge disaster, vowing to mount a vigorous legal defense. The U.S. Justice Department indicted Synergy Marine and the vessel's technical superintendent, Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, claiming negligence caused the containership Dali to strike the Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing six construction workers. The NTSB determined loose wiring from a misapplied label triggered blackouts aboard the 10,000-teu ship, disabling steering and propulsion systems. The vessel was chartered by Maersk and bound for Sri Lanka when the collision occurred. Synergy Marine contended maritime experts and the NTSB concluded the accident was unavoidable given the electrical failure. The Justice Department countered that proper fuel pump procedures would have restored power and prevented impact. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche characterized the incident as a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence.