Bridge collapse: S'pore firms to pay US govt $135m for clean-up

Owner and operator of ship say settlement not indicative of any liability for disaster

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The owner and operator of the cargo ship that struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, killing six people, have agreed to pay US$102 million (S$135 million) to the federal government, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Oct 24.

The DOJ in September filed a civil claim seeking US$103 million from two Singapore companies, Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine. The claim was intended to recoup the money the US government spent responding to the disaster and clearing the wreck of the Dali ship and bridge debris from the Port of Baltimore, so the waterway could reopen in June.