In the Matter of the Petition of Grace Ocean Private Limited et al for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability

On April 1, 2024, the ship’s owner, Grace Ocean Private Limited, and its manager, Synergy Marine PTE LTD, filed a petition seeking to exonerate themselves from liability or, alternatively, to limit their liability to the present value of the significantly damaged MV Dali. DiCello Levitt is opposing those efforts and pursuing the City’s claims for damages caused by the collision.

Why This Case Matters

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was one of the largest maritime disasters in U.S. history. Beyond the devastating loss of life, it destroyed critical infrastructure, disrupted access to one of the country’s busiest shipping ports, and caused immediate and long-term harm to Baltimore residents, workers, businesses, and the regional economy.

DiCello Levitt and its co-counsel, working in collaboration with the City’s Law Department, are taking action against the owner, charterer, manager and operator, and manufacturer of the MV Dali, as well as other potentially liable third parties. The litigation seeks to ensure that Baltimore and its residents are not left to shoulder the staggering costs of the disaster while the responsible parties avoid or limit liability.

Case Overview

On March 26, 2024, the MV Dali lost power while beginning to transit the Key Bridge and struck the structure, causing it to collapse. The vessel was owned by Grace Ocean Private Limited and managed by Synergy Marine PTE LTD.

The collapse cut off critical access to the Port of Baltimore, halting trade and severely affecting businesses and workers who depend on port activity for revenue and wages. Port workers, including longshoremen and contractors, were left without income, while businesses reliant on shipping and distribution faced significant financial losses.

The City also suffered extensive harm. Critical City property was destroyed, infrastructure was strained, and tax revenue was depleted as Baltimore incurred substantial costs related to emergency response and the rebuilding and maintenance of critical services.

On April 1, 2024, Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine filed a petition seeking to exonerate themselves from liability or, alternatively, to limit their liability to the present value of the significantly damaged MV Dali. DiCello Levitt is opposing the petitioners’ efforts to limit their liability by showing that the MV Dali was not seaworthy when it left the Port of Baltimore, which ultimately caused the destruction of the Key Bridge, and that the petitioners knew or should have known this fact.

DiCello Levitt and the plaintiffs’ team will also present the City’s claims for damages caused by the collision against the petitioners and other potentially liable parties. Those claims include harm to vital infrastructure and damage to the public fisc, along with losses associated with destroyed City property, depleted tax revenue, emergency response costs, and the continued maintenance and rebuilding of critical services.

Working with the City’s Law Department and co-counsel, DiCello Levitt is seeking full compensation for the City of Baltimore and pursuing accountability against the ship’s owner, charterer, manager and operator, manufacturer, and other potentially liable third parties.

This case is In the Matter of the Petition of Grace Ocean Private Limited et al for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability, No. 1:24-cv-00941-JKB, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The DiCello Levitt team is led by Adam J. Levitt and includes Diandra “Fu” Debrosse, Daniel R. Schwartz, and Nada Djordjevic.