Container Ship That Collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge Arrives In China To Begin Repairs After 8-Months

The containership Dali that struck the Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge eight months ago, arrived at Fuzhou Port in China on November 13. The ship completed a two-month journey from Norfolk, Virginia, without cargo after undergoing minor repairs.

According to Chinese port officials, the extent of the damage required careful planning for the ship’s arrival.

The ship has no functioning anchors—one was broken during the bridge crash—and its thrusters are badly damaged. It will now head to the Fujian Huadong Shipyard, where a replacement bow will be fitted. No specific timetable for the repairs has been provided.

The nine-year-old ship, owned by Grace Ocean and operated by Synergy Marine, has also been the focus of legal disputes. A U.S. court has set up a trial on June 1, 2026, to decide whether the ship’s owners can limit their liability to $44 million under an old maritime law.

Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine have denied responsibility for the disaster but agreed to pay the U.S. government $100 million to cover cleanup costs.

They have said that Maryland and Baltimore share some of the responsibility for failing to protect the bridge, and they may also target the shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries, for any design flaws.

The court case is expected to last years. Witness testimony will start in December 2024, with the investigation continuing until mid-2025. If the trial proceeds, it will inquire into whether the ship was unsafe or lacked proper maintenance and training.

Maryland and Baltimore, companies and the families of six people who lost their lives while working over the bridge during the accident are seeking compensation for the damages caused by the collision.

Along with the legal proceedings, Grace Ocean has already paid the United States Coast Guard $100,000 for oil contamination caused by the incident. The ship will now undergo months of repairs in China.

Reference: Safety4Sea

Source: Maritime Shipping News