FBI raids Singapore-run ship linked to US bridge collapse over negligence

The US Justice Department alleges Grace Ocean Private Ltd and Synergy Marine recklessly cut corners and ignored known electrical problems

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What remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after its collapse sits atop the Singapore-flagged Dali container ship in Baltimore on March 26. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:39am, 23 Sep 2024Updated: 9:19am, 23 Sep 2024

US federal agents have boarded a vessel managed by the same Singapore-based company as a cargo ship that caused the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse, the FBI confirmed.

In statements, the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office in Maryland confirmed that authorities boarded the Maersk Saltoro. The ship is managed by Synergy Marine Group.

“The Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division and Coast Guard Investigative Services are present aboard the Maersk Saltoro conducting court authorised law enforcement activity,” statements from both the FBI and US Attorney’s Office said on Saturday morning.

Authorities did not offer further specifics. The Washington Post first reported on federal authorities boarding the ship.

The raid came several months after United States investigators conducted a similar search of the Dali, the cargo ship that crashed into the bridge.

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In a lawsuit filed on Wednesday, the US Justice Department alleged that Dali owner Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and manager Synergy Marine, both of Singapore, recklessly cut corners and ignored known electrical problems on the vessel, which lost power multiple times minutes before it crashed into a support column on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March.