Indictment of Synergy Marine and Crew Over 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

On May 13 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Singapore-based Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, Chennai-based Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd, and technical superintendent Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair with conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction, false statements, and failure to notify the Coast Guard of a known hazard aboard the containership Dali. Prosecutors allege the firms altered the vessel’s fuel-supply system, used a non-automatic flushing pump for two generators, and concealed the resulting maintenance deficiencies from federal inspectors.

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On March 26 2024, the containership Dali lost propulsion while leaving the Port of Baltimore and struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The impact caused the bridge to collapse, killing six migrant construction workers and causing roughly $5 billion in damages. Investigators linked the accident to two power losses within four minutes, the first attributed to a loose high-voltage switchboard wire.

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• Fatalities: six migrant workers.

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• Estimated loss: $5 billion.

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• Power-loss sequence: first loss from a loose high-voltage wire; second loss after the flushing pump failed to restart the fuel supply to two generators.

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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called the collapse “a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence” and said the indictment is a step toward holding accountable those whose “reckless disregard” caused the disaster. The Justice Department emphasized that the charges reflect alleged violations of federal safety and reporting laws. The NTSB continues its separate investigation.

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Commentary linked the incident to a broader policy concern: U.S. and foreign firms routinely hire low-cost foreign crews for work in critical infrastructure, a practice critics say can erode safety standards and increase the risk of avoidable disasters.

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The indictment’s technical findings—loose wire, altered fuel system, and pump failure—remain untested in court, and no independent verification has been released. The precise timing of the second blackout is still under investigation.

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• “The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence,” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

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• “This indictment is a critical step toward holding accountable those whose reckless disregard …” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

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• “The obstruction charges relate to, among other things, Nair’s statements to the NTSB that he did not know the Dali was using the flushing pump to provide fuel to two of the generators.” — U.S. Department of Justice, Indictment

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The defendants will be arraigned in the Eastern District of Virginia, with a trial pending. Prosecutors may also seek civil penalties, while the NTSB and Coast Guard are expected to issue further technical findings.

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