Among the claimants are the families of the victims, companies that suffered economic damages, cargo owners, and local authorities
Baltimore – The trial regarding the disaster of the container ship Dali, which in March 2024 struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore causing its collapse, the death of six workers, and severe economic damage to the port area, will get underway on June 1st.
In an initial phase, the court will have to decide whether the shipowners and operators of the vessel can limit their financial liability to the value of the Dali and its cargo, estimated at around 44 million dollars, based on a maritime law from 1851. Among the claimants are the families of the victims, companies that suffered economic damages, cargo owners, and local authorities. The State of Maryland has already reached an agreement with the insurers, while Baltimore remains involved in the lawsuit. During the latest preliminary hearings, issues related to evidence and witnesses were addressed. One of the hypotheses at the center of the trial concerns an electrical problem caused by the ship’s vibrations before the impact with the bridge. According to local media, the commander of the Dali also reportedly invoked his right to remain silent during interrogations, while other crew members may also choose not to testify.
