The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, collapsed after it was struck by a ship earlier in the year, cutting off ocean routes to the city’s major port, and causing severe disruptions to local transport and logistics.
The bridge, built in the 1970s, is the only passage connecting the US’ ninth-biggest foreign trading port to the ocean.
The Port of Baltimore is the country’s busiest maritime terminal for exports of vehicles and handles significant volumes of coal.
The collapsed bridge trapped ten ships, 30 small cargo vessels, tug boats, and other craft, and forced nearly 40 ships heading for Baltimore to divert.
US President Joe Biden praised the bridge’s vital role in the economy, citing concerns about traffic and jobs connected to the port.
Officials closed the port to ship traffic following the incident.
Shipping Company Blamed
The Department of Justice on Tuesday filed a federal civil claim against two Singapore-based companies, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited – who own and operate the vessel, for the destruction of a bridge.
It blamed the company for the accident saying, “Out of negligence, mismanagement, and, at times, a desire to cut costs, they configured the ship’s electrical and mechanical systems in a way that prevented those systems from being able to quickly restore propulsion and steering after a power outage,” said Benjamin Mizer, the Principal Deputy Attorney-General.
The ship’s propeller, rudder, anchor, and bow thruster were unable to steer when needed leading it to strike at the bridge.
The government is seeking at least $100 million, along with punitive damages, to recover the costs of clearing the debris, reopening the channel for shipping, and dealing with “substantial risk of oil pollution” so that the costs are “borne by the companies that caused the crash, not by the American taxpayer,” according to Mizer.
The US claim did not address the funds needed to rebuild the bridge, as it is up to Maryland to file its claim.
$1 Billion Rebuilding Cost
However, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has released a tender for a $1 billion bridge to replace the collapsed one.
The MDTA is using a progressive design-build process to form a partnership between a project designer and a construction firm. MDTA wants a visually attractive structure and a delivery schedule not exceeding the autumn of 2028.
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