A Singapore-based maritime company and one of its employees are facing criminal charges in the United States over the 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a disaster that killed six construction workers and triggered one of the largest infrastructure investigations in recent American history.
U.S. prosecutors announced charges against Synergy Marine Private Limited and its affiliated Indian entity, Synergy Maritime Private Limited, alleging the companies knowingly relied on an improper fuel pump system aboard the Singapore-flagged container ship Dali.
The ship collided with the Baltimore bridge on Mar. 26, 2024, after suffering multiple power failures while departing the Port of Baltimore.
Authorities also charged 47-year-old Indian national Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, who oversaw technical matters relating to the vessel.
According to U.S. prosecutors, the companies and Nair allegedly failed to disclose critical safety issues and later provided false information during investigations into the disaster.
Massive S$2.86 Billion Settlement Reached
The criminal indictment follows a major civil settlement announced in April 2026 involving the state of Maryland, Synergy Marine Private Limited and Grace Ocean Private Limited.
The settlement amount, revealed publicly on May 12, was valued at approximately US$2.25 billion, equivalent to around S$2.86 billion.
Earlier in October 2024, the two Singapore-linked companies had already agreed to pay nearly US$102 million, or around S$134.5 million at the time, to cover cleanup operations related to the collapse.
Maryland authorities estimate rebuilding the destroyed bridge could eventually cost between US$4.3 billion and US$5.2 billion, translating to approximately S$5.47 billion to S$6.62 billion. The replacement bridge is reportedly targeted for completion by late 2030.
The collapse severely disrupted shipping operations and transport networks in Baltimore, while also drawing global scrutiny toward maritime safety standards and vessel maintenance practices.
Prosecutors Say Safety Corners Were Deliberately Cut
According to investigators, the Dali lost power twice within four minutes while transitioning from open sea into Baltimore’s port area.
The first blackout was reportedly linked to a loose wire in the ship’s switchboard, which affected steering controls. Prosecutors alleged the second power failure became catastrophic because the vessel used fuel pumps that could not automatically restart after a blackout.
Investigators believe proper pumps could have prevented the ship from crashing into a key support column of the bridge.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation alleged that similar issues had already surfaced on two sister ships connected to the same pump design.
Authorities further claimed the vessel experienced two earlier blackouts a day before the fatal incident but that these were not properly reported to investigators.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche described the bridge collapse as a “preventable tragedy of enormous consequence”.
The companies and Nair now face allegations including conspiracy, obstruction, misconduct causing death, false statements and failure to report hazardous conditions to the United States Coast Guard.
Both companies were additionally accused of unlawfully releasing pollutants into the Patapsco River following the crash.
Ship Operator Rejects Allegations
Synergy Marine Private Limited has denied wrongdoing and criticised the criminal prosecution, arguing that the matter should be handled as a maritime accident investigation rather than a criminal case.
The company said it would “vigorously defend” itself against what it described as inaccurate allegations and selective interpretations of the evidence.
Meanwhile, Nair’s lawyer reportedly stated that his client thinks about the tragedy daily but insists he did not cause the disaster.
The case is expected to become one of the most closely watched international maritime prosecutions involving a Singapore-linked shipping company in recent years, particularly given the enormous financial damages, infrastructure losses and fatalities involved.