DOJ Launches Inspections of Dali as Ship Prepares to Sail for China

The containership Dali is preparing to depart the United States nearly six months after its collision with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. Before the vessel can leave, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) informed the courts of plans to conduct inspections and testing on the ship. These assessments, scheduled to begin on September 5 and potentially extend until September 14, are part of the ongoing legal processes surrounding the incident. While the exact nature of these tests was not disclosed, previous investigations were carried out by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the FBI, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Experts believe these inspections could lead to further claims related to the recovery costs of clearing the Baltimore channel or the replacement of the bridge, which has been estimated to cost between $1.6 to $1.8 billion. Maryland has already awarded a $73 million contract for the initial phase of the project, with a new bridge expected to be completed by 2028. Meanwhile, the Dali completed unloading its cargo in Norfolk, Virginia, last month, and is scheduled to depart for China on September 17, pending any issues from the DOJ’s inspections.

Baltimore bridge collapse: a bridge engineer explains what happened, and what needs to change

The legal process continues with a September 24 deadline for filing claims, though cargo owners have requested an extension to January 24, citing that some of the cargo is still in transit. The incident involved cargo valued at approximately $42 million. In addition to these claims, there are ongoing efforts in Congress to increase the liability for foreign-flagged ships, potentially increasing the vessel owner’s liability to ten times the value of the ship and its cargo. Local businesses and the City of Baltimore are also seeking compensation for operational disruptions caused by the bridge collapse.