Synergy Marine Charged with Conspiracy, Obstruction Over Deadly Baltimore Bridge Collapse
Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against Synergy Marine, the company operating the cargo ship Dali, two years after the vessel struck Baltimore's Key Bridge, causing its collapse and the deaths of six construction workers.
Synergy Marine, alongside its technical supervisor, Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, faces charges including conspiracy, obstruction, and misconduct resulting in death. Prosecutors allege the company deliberately misled investigators regarding ship conditions and failed to disclose critical hazards and safety concerns to the US Coast Guard.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the bridge collapse was "a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence," emphasising that the indictment represents a "critical step toward holding accountable those whose reckless disregard for maritime safety regulations caused this disaster."
The indictment, unsealed on Tuesday, references Synergy's Singapore and India-based operations. Prosecutors contend the Dali lost power twice within four minutes before the collision. The first outage was attributed to a loose wire, while the second occurred because the crew allegedly used an unapproved flushing pump to supply fuel to two generators—a pump not designed for automatic restart after a blackout.
Prosecutors assert that had the crew utilised "proper" fuel supply, the vessel would have regained power before impacting the bridge. Furthermore, the indictment claims Synergy employees were aware of this improper pump usage and "took steps to hide the use" on the Dali and other vessels, also falsifying safety records.
The vessel's owner has already paid over $100 million to the justice department to settle civil claims for bridge damages and $350 million to Maryland's insurance company. Synergy is scheduled for a further civil trial next month, as Baltimore continues reconstruction efforts on the bridge, a project anticipated to take years and cost billions.
