Baltimore Bridge: US files lawsuit seeking $103m damage against  Singaporean Companies

Following the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the US  Department of Justice has filed a civil lawsuit, seeking $103 million in damages from two Singaporean companies that owned and operated the container ship.

Recalled that the bridge collapse resulted in the deaths of six people as well as disruption of transportation in the Northeast.

The companies, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, were responsible for the ship, the Dali, which crashed into the bridge.

The Justice Department among other things sought to recover the costs incurred by the U.S. government in responding to the disaster, including the removal of the wreck and bridge debris from the Port of Baltimore.

Head of the Civil Division's department, Brain Boynton said "This was an entirely avoidable incident as the owner and operator of the Dali made a series of eminently foreseeable errors.”

In addition to compensatory damages, the department is also seeking punitive damages, accusing the companies of negligence.

According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the Dali experienced multiple power failures before the collision. The FBI has also launched a criminal investigation into the incident.

In a statement, the companies said they would defend themselves against the lawsuit.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit was filed in response to a legal action initiated by Grace Ocean and Synergy to limit their liability to $44 million, a sum that department officials deemed “woefully inadequate.”

Brawner Builders, the construction company that employed the six workers who died in the bridge collapse, also filed a civil claim against the Singaporean companies.

The company is seeking an unspecified amount in damages for the deaths of its employees and the loss of equipment.

The state of Maryland estimates the cost of rebuilding the bridge to be between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion, with completion expected by fall 2028.

The collapse of the bridge, cause a significant damage amidst series of lawsuits.