A federal judge has rejected a request to delay the civil trial linked to the 2024 collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to the Associated Press.
The trial is scheduled to begin on 1 June and relates to civil claims stemming from the collapse, which followed the containership Dali’s contact with the bridge on 26 March 2024.
The incident killed six construction workers who were carrying out road works on the bridge at the time.
According to AP, US District Judge James Bredar said the trial would proceed despite recent criminal charges filed against companies involved in the operation of the vessel.
Attorneys for the companies had sought a delay, arguing that witnesses were reluctant to testify while the criminal case remained unresolved. AP reported that Bredar said keeping the trial date would be “the most efficient use of judicial resources.”
The US Department of Justice announced on 12 May that Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, based in Singapore, Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd, based in Chennai, India, and Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, the Dali’s technical superintendent, had been indicted in connection with the incident.
READ: Synergy indicted over fatal Baltimore Bridge collapse
According to the DOJ, the charges include conspiracy, willfully failing to immediately inform the US Coast Guard of a known hazardous condition, obstruction of an agency proceeding and false statements.
AP reported that the civil trial will consider claims that remain unresolved, including those brought by victims’ families. A separate $2.25 billion settlement was announced in April between the state of Maryland, Synergy Marine and Grace Ocean Private Limited, the Singapore-based owner of the vessel.
Grace Ocean has not been charged with any crimes related to the collapse, according to AP.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) previously determined that the probable cause of the Dali’s contact with the bridge was a loss of electrical power caused by a loose signal wire connection to a terminal block.
The blackout led to a loss of propulsion and steering as the vessel approached the bridge.
The NTSB also noted that larger cargo vessels such as the Dali can present increased risks near port and waterway infrastructure.
