Key Bridge collapse: Lawsuit paused as Baltimore, ship owners agree to delay

Maggie Trovato, The Baltimore Sun on Jun 1, 2026

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BALTIMORE — The long-anticipated civil trial over liability in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse was put on hold just before it was set to begin Monday morning.

Though the parties remaining in the case, including cargo ship Dali owner Grace Ocean Private Limited, Dali operator Synergy Marine Private Limited, Baltimore City and Baltimore County agreed Monday morning that the case should be stayed, or postponed, their reasons starkly differed.

Attorneys for Grace Ocean and Synergy argued that, with all of the personal injury, wrongful death and property damage claims settled, the remaining 11 claims in the case should be dismissed based on a U.S. Supreme Court case that bars recovery for economic loss that resulted from negligence unless physical damage to personal property was suffered.

Attorneys for the city, county and private economic loss claimants, on the other hand, argued that the case should be postponed until a criminal case related to the collision is complete. They said that criminal proceedings will have a “significant impact” on Grace Ocean’s and Synergy’s argument surrounding the Supreme Court case and that the civil case should be postponed until then.

The civil case, which was scheduled to last about five weeks, centers on whether the ship owner and operator can avoid billions in liability for the March 2024 disaster, which killed six, under a centuries-old maritime law.

If a judge rules in favor of the two companies, Grace Ocean and Synergy could cap their liability in the collision at roughly $44 million. Claimants, including government entities and businesses affected by the collapse, argue the companies should face far greater exposure.

The fate of the trial was muddied last month when federal prosecutors announced a criminal indictment against Synergy-related entities and a technical superintendent tied to the Dali. The indictment alleged conspiracy, obstruction and failures involving maintenance and safety reporting aboard the vessel. Prosecutors said these failures contributed to the crash.

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