The U.S. Justice Department has filed criminal charges against the operator of the containership involved in the 2024 crash that severely damaged the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, resulting in six construction workers' deaths. The incident occurred in March 2024 when the 900-foot Singapore-registered vessel, the Dali, collided with the bridge, causing a significant section to collapse into the Patapsco River.

The accident blocked nearly the entire 700-foot-wide shipping channel at the Port of Baltimore for approximately 11 weeks, disrupting maritime traffic and causing an estimated $5 billion in economic losses, according to federal authorities.

The charges target Singapore-based Synergy Marine and its India-based unit, Synergy Maritime, alleging conspiracy for failing to notify the U.S. Coast Guard of dangerous conditions on the vessel. Both companies face additional counts of obstruction of an agency proceeding and making false statements. Kelly Hayes, the U.S. Attorney for Maryland, stated that Synergy could face fines up to $10 billion if convicted, along with potential restitution and forfeiture.

Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, a 47-year-old Indian national employed by both entities, has also been charged with the same violations. Authorities believe Nair is currently in India, and the Justice Department plans to utilize all available law-enforcement tools to bring him to the United States.

In 2024, Synergy and the vessel’s owner, Grace Ocean Private, reached a $102 million settlement with the Justice Department to cover federal response costs related to the bridge collapse. That earlier lawsuit contended the companies disregarded safety issues that led to the vessel losing power before striking the bridge.

According to prosecutors, the Dali experienced two power outages while departing the Port of Baltimore. The first outage likely stemmed from a loose wire in a high-voltage switchboard. Though the ship was equipped with backup systems designed to restore power in such scenarios, the Justice Department asserts that modifications made by Synergy compromised these systems, resulting in a second blackout. Had the ship’s generators used the appropriate fuel-supply pumps, power would have been restored in time to avoid the collision, prosecutors said.

Federal officials emphasized that the alterations violated U.S. Coast Guard regulations and international maritime law, creating a hazardous condition that contributed to the crash.

The obstruction charges focus on statements Nair made to the National Transportation Safety Board, in which he denied knowledge of the ship's modifications. Authorities also allege he took active steps to conceal the altered systems before and after the accident.

Synergy Marine has not responded to requests for comment regarding the charges or the ongoing investigation.