Dali, the cargo ship that crashed into the Key Bridge, heading to China
BALTIMORE -- The Dali, the large cargo ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge last March, departed for China Thursday morning after undergoing repairs in Virginia, according to VesselFinder.
The ship had been stationed at the Port of Virginia's international terminal in Norfolk since it was relocated from the Port of Baltimore in June.
On March 26, the Dali lost power and collided with the Key Bridge, causing it to collapse. Eight construction workers were knocked into the Patapsco River and six of them died.
Multiple federal investigations continue into the accident.
DOJ sues Dali owner, operator
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the owner and operator of the Dali, seeking $100 million in damages.
Officials claim the collision with the bridge could have been prevented and the Singabore-based companies, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, were "well aware" of issues on the ship.
"The civil claim filed today alleges that the collision was caused by a series of catastrophic failures on board the Dali in the minutes before impact, all as a consequence of the alleged negligence," U.S. Attorney Erek Barron for the District of Maryland said.
Families suing Dali owner
The families of three of the Key Bridge collapse victims are planning a lawsuit against Grace Ocean Private Limited.
The families retained Washington-based law firm Gupta Wessler LLP to represent them. Matthew Wessler, a principal at the law firm, said this litigation will only aim to look at whether or not the company can limit its liability in the collapse.
"We fight for justice, not for ourselves, but for all those immigrant families and those essential workers," said Maria del Carmen Castellón, the widow of Miguel Luna. "We hope that no one else has to suffer in this tragedy like we have and justice means preventing future tragedies."
Work on the new bridge
The Maryland Transportation Authority Board approved a $73 million contract with Kiewit Infrastructure Company for the complete design and construction of the new Key Bridge.
The cost of a new bridge will be around $1.2 billion and is expected to be completed by the fall of 2028.