Maryland reached a settlement with the owner and operator of the container ship Dali over claims related to the 2024 collision that damaged the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore; terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Ships from China and the Philippines collided near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, escalating tensions amid China's plans to turn the atoll into a nature reserve, which the Philippines and other nations oppose as expansionist.
Experts say China's recent ship collision in the South China Sea was predictable due to aggressive and risky maritime behaviors by Chinese vessels, including high-speed pursuits and unsafe maneuvers, with the involvement of a Chinese destroyer marking an escalation in dangerous tactics in the contested waters.
The FBI has launched a criminal investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, focusing on whether the crew had prior knowledge of any issues with the ship. Agents were seen aboard the cargo ship Dali, and the Justice Department confirmed a court-approved search. The bridge collapsed on March 26 after the container ship Dali struck one of its piers, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers. President Biden has pledged federal support for the bridge's reconstruction.
An endangered North Atlantic right whale, one of less than 360 remaining, was found dead off Virginia after suffering blunt force trauma from a ship strike, marking the fourth documented right whale death of 2024. The whale, a mother who gave birth to her sixth calf this season, had catastrophic injuries consistent with a vessel strike. Environmental groups have called for tighter regulations on commercial fishing and shipping to protect the vulnerable species, as human impacts continue to threaten their survival.
The Singaporean company that owns the cargo ship involved in the Baltimore bridge collapse has filed a preemptive request in U.S. District Court to limit its liability for the accident, potentially in anticipation of civil lawsuits or a Justice Department civil complaint. The filing seeks to enjoin the commencement of any claims against the company and asks that if liability is determined, it be limited to the value of the vessel and its pending freight. Meanwhile, salvage crews have opened an emergency passageway through the Patapsco River to allow limited vessels to reach the Port of Baltimore.
The 22 Indian crew members of the container ship Dali, which crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, are still stranded on board and could remain there for weeks as salvage crews work to clear debris. The crew has been praised for alerting authorities and are reportedly maintaining the ship while stranded. Salvage crews are working to remove debris from the collapsed bridge, and efforts are being made to provide the crew with supplies and communication. The vessel, owned by Grace Ocean and chartered by Maersk, was carrying 4,700 shipping containers bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka when the collision occurred.
Crews in Baltimore have begun the complex process of removing the twisted steel from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, which fell into the Patapsco River after a cargo ship crashed into one of its supports. The intricate work involves cutting and lifting the steel before floating it away on a barge. The bridge collapse has led to the closure of the Port of Baltimore and a major highway link, impacting thousands of dockworkers, commuters, and U.S. consumers. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident, while officials plan to rebuild the bridge with federal aid approved by President Joe Biden's administration.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was caused by a rare and catastrophic collision with a ship that lost power, resulting in the deaths of six men and significant economic disruption. The bridge's vulnerability, lack of protective measures for its piers, and the ship's power outage all contributed to the disaster. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, and while rebuilding the bridge will take years, the federal government has allocated funds for cleanup and pledged to pay for a replacement bridge with advanced technology to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A container ship collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the bridge to collapse and suspending ship traffic through the Port of Baltimore. The collision has blocked the ninth largest US port for international cargo, and while smaller cargo can still move through, larger items will have to wait until the bridge debris is cleared. The bridge collapsed during a time of low traffic, likely preventing further casualties, but rerouting traffic through tunnels is expected to cause delays.
A cargo ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River and leading to a massive search effort for six missing construction workers. The ship's crew reported a power issue before the collision, and two people have been rescued so far. President Biden pledged federal support for rebuilding the bridge, and the port of Baltimore has suspended vessel traffic. The incident has prompted comparisons to a similar bridge collapse in Florida in 1980.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being struck by a large ship, leading to lane closures and traffic detours. It's unclear if there were any injuries. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott stated that emergency personnel are on the scene. The bridge, which extends over the Patapsco River and serves as an essential link of Interstate-695, suffered a collapse after the collision. The incident is currently under investigation.
A container ship crashed into the Lixinsha Bridge in Guangzhou, China, causing a section of the bridge to collapse and resulting in the deaths of five people as vehicles fell from the crossing. The crash, attributed to "improper operation" by the ship's crew, occurred in the Nansha district. The bridge is a vital thoroughfare connecting the island of Sanmin to the rest of the city. The incident has prompted an investigation into the cause of the collision and the delay in implementing anti-collision measures on the bridge's support columns.
A humpback whale with a broken back, likely from a ship collision, was spotted off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico, and is expected to die from its injuries. The whale's ability to swim, feed, and survive is severely impacted, highlighting the threat of ship collisions to marine wildlife. Efforts to mitigate such incidents, including speed regulations for vessels, are in place, but more comprehensive measures are needed to prevent future whale deaths.
A collision between two cargo ships in the North Sea off the coast of Germany has resulted in the sinking of one vessel, the Verity, and the deaths of five crew members. One body was recovered, while two people were rescued. The search for the four missing sailors has been called off, with authorities presuming them dead. The collision occurred in a busy shipping area, and emergency services, including a cruise ship and a German navy helicopter, assisted in the search and rescue operations. The Polesie, the other ship involved, remains afloat with its 22 crew members.