FBI Raids Ship Linked to Baltimore Bridge Collapse Company: Multi-Agency Investigation Intensifies

Federal Agents Board Ship Linked to Baltimore Bridge Collapse Company

Federal agents have conducted a raid on the Maersk Saltoro, a vessel managed by Synergy Marine Group, the same company associated with the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse earlier this year. The FBI, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, and Coast Guard Investigative Services carried out court-authorized law enforcement activity on the ship. Authorities have not provided further details about the operation.

This raid follows a similar search of the cargo ship Dali, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, causing its collapse. The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Dali owner Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and manager Synergy Marine, alleging reckless maintenance and ignored electrical issues. The Dali reportedly lost power multiple times before the collision.

The bridge collapse resulted in the deaths of six road work crew members and disrupted commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore for months. The Justice Department is seeking to recover over $100 million spent on clearing debris and reopening the port.

In response to the incident, the companies involved filed a court petition to limit their legal liability. However, the Justice Department argues there is no legal basis for such limitation and is pursuing punitive damages to deter vessel owners and operators from engaging in reckless behavior.

Both the Maersk Saltoro and the Dali are Singapore-flagged vessels built by Hyundai in 2015. The Dali reportedly experienced significant electrical issues, including excessive vibrations and cracked equipment. The ship also suffered power outages in Baltimore, which were not reported to the U.S. Coast Guard as required.

After being stuck in the wreckage for months, the Dali was recently refloated and has departed Norfolk, Virginia, en route to China on its first international voyage since the disaster.

The Justice Department has not confirmed whether a criminal investigation into the bridge collapse is still ongoing. FBI agents previously boarded the Dali in April as part of the investigation.

As this situation continues to develop, authorities remain tight-lipped about the specifics of the recent raid on the Maersk Saltoro, leaving many questions unanswered about the potential implications for Synergy Marine Group and the ongoing legal proceedings related to the Baltimore bridge collapse.