Legislation introduced to hold vessel owner responsible in Baltimore Bridge Collapse

On Thursday, U.S. Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) introduced legislation that would require the owner of the cargo ship, Dali, in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March.

The legislation, the “Justice for Victims of Foreign Vessel Accidents Act,” would increase the limit of liability for a foreign owned vessel to up to 10 times the dollar value of the vessel and its cargo, after some expenses, Garamendi said. In the case of the Dali, valued at around $90 million, the bill would increase liability to nearly $1 billion.

“If the foreign owners of the cargo vessel that took down the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore think they can leave American taxpayers holding the bag, I have a message for them: you broke it, you bought it,” Garamendi said. “Access to America’s ports and our consumers is a privilege, not a right. If the foreign owners of the Dalia want to keep that privilege, they can break out their checkbooks, call their insurance company, and pay their fair share of the bridge replacement costs and compensation to the families of the six workers who died tragically that day.”

The legislation would maintain the current liability threshold for U.S.-flagged vessels, that are already subject to federal or state law and are inspected regularly.

“This is a crucial step toward ensuring accountability in maritime liability,” Johnson said. “By enhancing the financial responsibilities of foreign vessel owners, this bill provides essential support to victims and their families in reinforcing our resolve to uphold justice following tragic maritime incidents.”

If passed, the legislation would be retroactive to March 25, 2024, the night before the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed.

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