ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The owners of the cargo ship Dali, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, are pursuing legal action against Hyundai Heavy Industries, the vessel's manufacturer, citing negligence in the design of a critical switchboard. Grace Ocean Private and Synergy Marine PTE Ltd filed the lawsuit last week in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The lawsuit alleges that due to a defectively designed switchboard, the Dali experienced a power outage that ultimately led to the allision with the Key Bridge. Grace Ocean Private claims that the wiring connections in the switchboard were not secure, rendering the ship dangerously unsafe when it left the control of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

According to the lawsuit, HHI’s defective manufacture of the switchboard and vessel caused the signal wiring to loosen during normal operations, resulting in the power failure that led to the crash. The Dali was departing Baltimore for Sri Lanka on March 26, 2022, when a steering failure occurred due to the power loss. As a consequence, the ship crashed into one of the supporting columns of the bridge, leading to the destruction of the 1.6-mile span and claiming the lives of six members of a roadwork crew.

The incident also triggered significant regional repercussions, including the closure of Baltimore's port for several months and ongoing traffic congestion issues. Following these events, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit attempting to recover over $100 million spent on clearing underwater debris and reopening the port. The owners and managers of the Dali later agreed to pay over $102 million in cleanup costs to settle the government's lawsuit.

In its lawsuit, the Justice Department accused the ship's owners and managers of recklessly cutting corners and ignoring electrical issues on the vessel. Specifically, they were charged with failing to address excessive vibrations that were linked to electrical problems. The National Transportation Safety Board noted in a preliminary report last year that the Dali had experienced electrical blackouts approximately 10 hours before its departure from the Port of Baltimore and again shortly before the crash into the bridge.

In a recent development, Maryland officials inspected the demolition site where crews are utilizing heavy machinery, such as giant saws and backhoes, to dismantle the remaining portions of the bridge. The construction of a replacement bridge is anticipated to be completed by 2028.

This lawsuit represents a significant legal proceeding in the aftermath of a tragic event that not only resulted in loss of life but also had lasting repercussions on infrastructure and traffic in the Baltimore region.