In the aftermath of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore following a ship collision, the Maryland Transportation Authority has issued alerts urging drivers to avoid the area over the Patapsco River, which has been deemed an “active scene” of the incident.
The ill-fated vessel, identified as the Dali container ship, has come under scrutiny following the catastrophic event. Here are nine crucial insights gleaned from AFP regarding the ship:
1. Ship Name and Origin: The vessel responsible for the bridge collapse is the Dali container ship, built in 2015 under the flag of Singapore.
2. Specifications: Constructed by the Korean Hyundai shipyard, the Dali measures 300 meters in length, 48 meters in width, and 24.8 meters in height, with a gross tonnage of 95,000 tonnes, positioning it as an average-sized container ship.
3. Voyage Details: Departing from the Baltimore port at 1 am local time on Tuesday, the ship was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a month-long journey when it collided with the bridge at 1:28 am.
4. Ownership: The Dali is owned by Singapore-based Grace Ocean Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of a Hong Kong conglomerate, and was transporting containers for Danish shipping giant Maersk.
5. Operational Details: At the time of the collision, the ship was under the control of two Baltimore port pilots, according to Synergy Marine, the Singapore company responsible for operating the vessel.
6. Crew and Safety: The Dali accommodated 22 crew members, all of whom reportedly escaped injury during the collision. No leaks were detected, ensuring environmental safety.
7. Route and Navigation: The Dali frequently traverses between Asian ports and the East Coast of the United States, passing through the Panama Canal before making stops at New York, Norfolk, and Baltimore.
8. Past Incidents: In 2016, shortly after its commissioning, the Dali was involved in an accident where it collided with a dock in the Belgian port of Antwerp.
9. Fuel Capacity and Insurance: With a fuel capacity of up to 8,344 cubic meters (2.2 million gallons), the Dali is insured by UK-based Britannia, ensuring coverage for potential liabilities.