The U.S. government has filed a criminal indictment against two Singapore companies. The indictment also names an Indian ship superintendent for the Dali cargo vessel. This criminal indictment stems from the March 2024 Baltimore bridge collapse. The disaster killed six construction workers and caused 5 billion dollars in losses. Consequently, the Department of Justice unsealed the charges in federal court.
The defendants include Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, based in Singapore. Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd, based in Chennai, also faces charges. Additionally, Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, an Indian national, stands accused. He worked as the technical superintendent for the Dali at that time. The criminal indictment charges them with conspiracy to defraud the United States. It also includes obstruction of an agency proceeding and false statements.
According to the indictment, the Dali lost power twice while leaving Baltimore. A loose wire in a switchboard likely caused the first power loss. Shortly after regaining power, the vessel lost it again. The defendants allegedly used a flushing pump to supply fuel to generators. However, that pump could not restart automatically after a blackout. Consequently, the ship experienced a second blackout and crashed into the bridge.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called the collapse a preventable tragedy. He stated that this criminal indictment holds accountable those who disregarded maritime safety. Nevertheless, Synergy Group strongly rejected the allegations. The company accused the DOJ of criminalising what it calls a tragic accident. Synergy maintains that a loose wire caused the inevitable crash. The operator insists it bears no responsibility for that wire.
The criminal indictment also includes environmental charges. Both Synergy corporations face Clean Water Act violations. They allegedly discharged pollutants into the Patapsco River. Meanwhile, Maryland recently reached a 2.25 billion dollar civil settlement. That agreement resolved claims against the vessel owner, Grace Ocean. However, this criminal indictment proceeds separately from those civil settlements. Synergy has pledged to vigorously defend itself in court. All defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case will now move forward through the federal judiciary.
