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Baltimore bridge crash: Safety investigation to include contaminated bunker fuel as possible cause

Probe will look into whether the contaminated fuel played a role in the Singapore-registered container vessel Dali losing power and crashing into the bridge, reports Wall Street Journal.
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Baltimore bridge crash: Safety investigation to include contaminated bunker fuel as possible cause

A safety investigation into a bridge collision in Baltimore will reportedly include whether contaminated bunker fuel may have caused the incident, according to the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday (26 March).

The probe will look into whether the contaminated fuel played a role in the Singapore-registered container vessel Dali losing power and crashing into the bridge, Wall Street Journal reported, quoting sources familiar with the investigation. 

Manifold Times reported Singapore-registered container vessel Dali crashing into the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, struck the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, on 26 March at about 1.30pm (Singapore Time), causing the bridge to collapse.

The ship management company, Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, reported to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) that just prior to the incident, the vessel had experienced momentary loss of propulsion. 

As a result, the 95,000 GT ship was unable to maintain the desired heading and collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge. 

In its latest statement on 27 March, MPA said it is working with the ship management company, Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, to facilitate information exchange to support US Coast Guard in its investigation. 

“MPA has also requested the vessel’s classification society, ClassNK, to prepare the technical assessment and stability calculations, which are important parameters to support the US Coast Guard in the planning and subsequent safe execution of the vessel salvage operations,” it said.

“MPA, as the Singapore flag administration, takes its responsibilities for the safety of vessels registered under its flag very seriously.”

“It works with eight international classification societies, appointed as MPA’s Recognised Organisations, to survey, inspect and ensure Singapore-flag vessels comply with all applicable statutory requirements.”

As part of its flag state obligations, MPA will be conducting an investigation to determine whether there have been any infringements of relevant statutory requirements under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

“The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), under Singapore’s Ministry of Transport, will be conducting an independent marine safety investigation under the International Maritime Organization’s Casualty Investigation Code with the objective of identifying lessons to prevent future marine casualties and incidents,” it added.

“TSIB’s marine safety investigation do not seek to apportion responsibility or determine the liability for the incident.”

Yesterday, MPA also confirmed the vessel underwent and passed previous foreign port state inspection.

MPA said Dali was flagged with Singapore from October 2016 and is classed by classification society ClassNK. 

Based on records, MPA confirmed that the vessel’s required classification society and statutory certificates covering the structural integrity of the vessel and functionality of the vessel’s equipment, were valid at the time of the incident.

According to AP News, at least eight people went into the water in the incident. Two bodies were reportedly recovered from the site of the collapsed bridge. 

Related: MPA: Singapore-registered ship in Baltimore bridge crash passed previous foreign port state inspections

 

Photo credit: FBI Baltimore
Published: 28 March 2024

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Environment

Indonesia to expedite removal of sunken Malaysia-flagged tanker “Silver Sincere”

Vessel sank while carrying about 1,000 mt of waste oil on 12 January 2025; the wreck was discovered in March 2025 and was found to have drifted about 13 nautical miles from its original sinking site.

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July 20, 2026

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Indonesia to expedite removal of sunken Malaysia-flagged tanker “Silver Sincere”

Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs on Tuesday (14 July) held a cross-agency coordination meeting to expedite efforts in handling the Malaysian-flagged tanker Silver Sincere that sank off Bintan Regency, Riau Islands.

The vessel sank while carrying about 1,000 metric tonnes (mt) of waste oil on 12 January 2025. 

According to authorities, the ship sank within Indonesian waters. After several surveys, the wreck was finally discovered in March 2025 and it was found to have shifted approximately 13 nautical miles from the initial sinking location.

The meeting was aimed to align cross-ministerial and institutional measures to expedite the handling of the Silver Sincere wreck while minimising risks to shipping safety, the marine environment, and national interests.

Deputy for Coordination of State Defense and National Unity Purwito Hadi Wardhono emphasised that the handling of the impact of the Silver Sincere sinking was the first case to be comprehensively coordinated, serving as a model for handling foreign vessels sinking within Indonesian jurisdiction.

Through this cross-sectoral coordination, the government will establish a clear and measurable framework that can serve as a reference for resolving similar cases in the future, while minimising state losses due to environmental pollution, damage to underwater ecosystems and infrastructure, and disruption to shipping lanes.

“The most important thing is to immediately stop and prevent the negative impacts of this ship sinking,” Purwito said.

“Therefore, a coordinating role is crucial, as maritime security governance involves various ministries and institutions with varying authorities, allowing for faster, more integrated, and more effective response,” he said. 

He added that the Silver Sincere was a Malaysian-flagged vessel that sank within Indonesian jurisdiction, and therefore, all handling processes must comply with the provisions of Indonesian laws and regulations.

In the meeting, Prof. Eko Ganis Sukoharsono, representing the SAE Energy Consulting Team, presented the results of an analysis based on 14 observation periods using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery. 

The analysis results showed strong indications of a waste oil spill that has resulted in marine pollution, damage to the seabed due to shifting shipwrecks, disruption of coastal ecosystems and fishing grounds, and potentially threatening the livelihoods of fishing communities around the Riau Islands. 

Purwito added these findings further emphasise the importance of accelerating the removal of the shipwrecks to prevent widespread environmental impacts, maintain shipping safety, and avoid the potential for greater state losses.

The meeting brought together representatives of related ministries and institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment, Attorney General’s Office.  

Related: MPA: Malaysia-registered tanker “Silver Sincere” sinks off Pedra Branca

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Julian T
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Incident

Port of Antwerp-Bruges restores partial shipping operations after acid leak

Port authority said a container of hydrofluoric acid was damaged and began leaking aboard the cargo vessel “Mia Summer II” at the Deurganck Dock on 14 July.

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July 16, 2026

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Port of Antwerp-Bruges

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges on Wednesday (15 July) said shipping operations are permitted throughout the port area on the left bank in the port after an acid leak from a damaged cargo vessel disrupted operations. 

In a notice on its website, the port authority said a container of hydrofluoric acid (HF or hydrogen fluoride) was damaged and began leaking aboard the cargo vessel Mia Summer II at the Deurganck Dock on 14 July. 

Several workers became unwell as a result. They received immediate medical care and were evacuated to various hospitals.

The municipal emergency response phase was activated with emergency services responding in large numbers, carried out air quality measurements, and implemented measures to bring the situation safely under control.

Shipping traffic was suspended temporarily in the affected area.

On 15 July, the port authority said all terminals, except for MPET’s, were permitted to resume operations.

Specialist teams are on standby to remove the container from the vessel.

 

Photo credit: Port of Antwerp Bruges
Published: 16 July, 2026

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Incident

MPA ‘deeply concerned’ over projectile strike on Singapore-registered ship in Hormuz Strait

Container ship “Ever Lovely” sustained minor damage to the bridge area from an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on 25 June at about 10pm (Singapore Time).
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June 29, 2026

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Container ship “Ever Lovely”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (26 June) said the Singapore-registered container ship Ever Lovely sustained minor damage to the bridge area from an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on 25 June at about 10pm (Singapore Time). 

The vessel has since completed its transit through the Strait of Hormuz and is proceeding on its voyage.

“All 21 crew members are safe. There are no Singaporeans onboard,” MPA said in a statement. 

MPA said it will continue to remain in close contact with the vessel’s management company and provide the necessary assistance.

“MPA is deeply concerned about the incident, which was unprovoked, unjustifiable, and a breach of international law,” it added.

“All actions affecting international shipping must fully comply with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and not endanger the safety of seafarers and ships at sea.”

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Michael Schindler
Published: 29 June, 2026

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