There appears to be no end to claims for damages against Grace Ocean Private and Synergy Marine, the owner and manager of the Dali, following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26.
In the latest development, a consortium of companies has instituted a class action lawsuit in which they claim that the owners put their profits over the seaworthiness and safety of their ship, causing what they believe was a preventable incident.
The plaintiffs, who have demanded a jury trial, include R E West; E Marine Motor Yacht Sales; Captain C Logistics; American Publishing; B&R Construction Services; and International Trading Solutions.
The class action seeks reimbursement for costs and losses already incurred and to be incurred, individually and for their businesses.
In a 65-page document, each provides a detailed account of the impact of the disaster on their businesses.
Tennessee-based R E West, which specialises in interstate transportation, claims that before the blockage of the Patapsco River and destruction of the Key Bridge, its business was flourishing, with approximately 40% being routed through the Patapsco River Channel and into the Port of Baltimore.
However, in the immediate aftermath of the blockage and destruction, they saw a dramatic halt in business activities.
The company was forced to reroute much of its business through the Ports of Newark, Wilmington, and Norfolk, at significant expense of time and money.
Captain C Logistics, a family-run enterprise based in Maryland and operational since 2017, specialises in interstate transportation. The company says its business was flourishing, with approximately 90% being routed through the Patapsco River Channel and into the Port of Baltimore.
However, in the immediate aftermath of the blockage and destruction, it saw a dramatic halt in business activities and was forced to shut its business for a month to recalibrate its approach.
Upon reopening, it had to reroute much of its business through the Port of Norfolk, at significant expense.
Several other claims have already been instituted – a civil claim by Maryland for damages, repairs and environmental harm, while the US Justice Department is suing for more than $100 million in damages.
