The indictment alleges preventable equipment failures and a cover-up led to catastrophic infrastructure damage, pollution in the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay, and more than $5 billion in losses.
“The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This indictment is a critical step toward holding accountable those whose reckless disregard for maritime safety regulations caused this disaster.”
The indictment was unsealed Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Justice, charging Singapore-based Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, India-based Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd, and Indian national and Technical Superintendent for the Dali, Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, 47, with “conspiracy, willfully failing to immediately inform the U.S. Coast Guard of a known hazardous condition, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and false statements.”
Federal prosecutors allege the defendants knowingly operated the vessel with unsafe modifications, leading to catastrophic power failures just before the ship struck the bridge.
According to the indictment, the 900-foot, Singapore-flagged container ship lost electrical power twice within four minutes while departing the Port of Baltimore. Prosecutors said a loose wire in a high-voltage switchboard likely triggered the first power loss.
The indictment says the ship’s operators altered the vessel’s fuel system and improperly relied on a flushing pump to supply fuel to two generators. Unlike the ship’s original fuel pumps, the flushing pump allegedly could not automatically restart after a blackout, leaving the Dali unable to recover power before impact.
Prosecutors say the ship would have regained enough power to safely pass beneath the bridge if the proper fuel supply system had been used.
The companies and Nair are also accused of misleading National Transportation Safety Board investigators during the federal casualty investigation. The indictment alleges Nair falsely claimed he was unaware the flushing pump was being used to fuel the generators.
The two corporate defendants also face misdemeanor pollution charges under the Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act, and Refuse Act for allegedly discharging oil, bridge debris, shipping containers, and other materials into the Patapsco River.
“This indictment is the first step in our efforts to hold those accountable who caused the tragic deaths of six people and catastrophic damage to our region,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes for the District of Maryland.
The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) said the charges reflect what investigators described as a disregard for maritime safety regulations. Acting Director Zinnia James said federal authorities will continue pursuing companies or individuals whose actions endanger U.S. ports, waterways, and public safety.