Owners of Vessel That Destroyed Bridge in Baltimore to Pay US Nearly $102 Million

The Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the vessel that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore will pay $101,980,000 to settle the government's civil claim against the companies for "costs borne in responding" to the bridge's collapse, DOJ announced on Oct. 24. The U.S. sought over $103 million under the Rivers and Harbors Act, Oil Pollution Act and general maritime law (see 2409190042). DOJ said the money will go to the U.S. Treasury and various federal agencies "directly affected" by the collision or involved in the response. The settlement doesn't include costs for reconstructing the bridge, since those efforts will be led by the State of Maryland (In the Matter of the Petition of Grace Ocean Private Limited, D. Md. # 24-00941).