Ship management firm Synergy Marine and owners of the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Grace Ocean with 22 Indian crew members, which collided with a US bridge in March, reached an “agreement” with the US government on cost payment While disclaiming liability for it. Event.
The container ship ‘DALI’, carrying an all-Indian crew of 22, collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in March this year. Crews had issued a mayday call before the collision, which caused the bridge to collapse, prompting authorities to limit traffic movement.
“We confirm that Grace Ocean and Synergy have reached an agreement with the United States regarding payment of those costs, which are fully insured,” Synergy Marine Group said in a statement Friday.
“The agreement strictly covers the costs associated with clearing the channel, for which we would have been responsible in any case, and does not imply any liability, which we expressly disclaim in the event of “The reason was the collapse of Francis Scott’s Bridge,” it said.
According to the statement, Grace Ocean and Synergy are prepared to vigorously defend themselves in the range of liability proceedings pending before the federal court in Baltimore and establish that they were not responsible for the incident.
Synergy Marine Group also said, “No punitive damages have been imposed as part of the settlement”.
“As per the agreement, the United States has renounced its claim,” it said.
In this incident, the cargo ship, sailing from Baltimore to Colombo, while operating with two pilots, collided with a pillar of the bridge. Immediately after the collision, the bridge collapsed and crashed onto the cargo ship.
Following the disembarkation of the crew members from the ship, Synergy Marine and Grace Ocean have taken measures to support their well-being, the company said, and the 11 crew members who will disembark in Baltimore and Norfolk in June 2024 will be housed in serviced apartments. Is placed. In baltimore.
One crew member was cleared by the US government to return to India for a family function. Synergy Marine said the US government has granted an extension to the crew member to assist in further investigations, who are expected to return to the US in mid-November.
Additionally, two other crew members who were cleared by the US government to return to India for family reasons have joined their colleagues in the US, the company said.
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