U.S. Judge Keeps June 1 Civil Trial on Baltimore Bridge Collapse on Schedule

U.S. District Judge James Bredar denied a request to delay the civil trial set for June 1, 2026, concerning claims arising from the 2024 collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bridge fell after the container ship Dali lost power and struck it on March 26, 2024, killing six construction workers.

The companies that owned and managed the vessel—Singapore‑based Synergy Marine Pte Ltd and India‑based Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd—along with the ship’s technical superintendent, Indian national Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, have been indicted on charges including conspiracy, misconduct causing death, and false statements to authorities. They argued that witnesses would be reluctant to testify until the criminal case is resolved. Judge Bredar said proceeding on the original schedule is the most efficient use of judicial resources.

In April, a $2.25 billion settlement was announced between the state of Maryland, Synergy Marine and Grace Ocean Private Limited, the Singapore‑based ship owner, though the agreement does not settle the pending civil claims of victims’ families.