A Blank Rome team represents Grace Ocean Private Limited (“Grace Ocean”) and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd (“Synergy”), owner and manager respectively, of the M/V Dali, which allided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, 2024.
Grace Ocean and Synergy subsequently petitioned for limitation of liability in the District of Maryland pursuant to the Shipowners’ Limitation of Liability Act (“Act”), which permits the owner of a vessel to limit its liability to the value of the ship after the loss or damage. Approximately 40 claimants, including the State of Maryland, City of Baltimore, representatives for the decedents, and a number of economic loss and cargo claimants filed claims in the limitation action. Trial is set for June 1, 2026.
In August 2025, Claimants moved for summary judgment, seeking to exclude Synergy from the limitation action, arguing that it was not entitled to avail itself of the benefits of an “owner” as defined in the Act. On behalf of Grace Ocean and Synergy, Blank Rome opposed Claimants’ Motion for Summary Judgment. On January 22, 2026, the District of Maryland issued a Memorandum and Opinion denying the Claimants’ motion for summary judgment, ensuring both Grace Ocean and Synergy are entitled to stand trial on their right to limitation.
The Blank Rome team was led by William “Bill” Bennett and Thomas Belknap. Emma Jones, Neil McMillan, and Zachary Cain contributed to the briefing.