US sues S'pore firms for $130m over collapse of Baltimore bridge

Civil suit against ship's owner and operator aims to recover the cost to reopen channel

- 

The US Justice Department filed a lawsuit on Sept 18 seeking more than US$100 million (S$129 million) from the Singapore owner and operator of a cargo ship that destroyed a Baltimore bridge.

The 300m-long Dali ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, killing six road workers and blocking the busy shipping channel.

The civil suit against Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine was filed in the US District Court for the District of Maryland.

"The Justice Department is committed to ensuring accountability for those responsible for the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge," Attorney-General Merrick Garland said in a statement.