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

MPA confirmed vessel’s required classification society and statutory certificates covering structural integrity of vessel and functionality of vessel’s equipment were valid at time of the incident.
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MPA: Singapore-registered ship in Baltimore bridge crash passed previous foreign port state inspections

The Singapore-registered container vessel Dali that crashed into the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, underwent and passed previous foreign port state inspections, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed on Wednesday (27 March). 

The vessel struck the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, on 26 March at about 1.30pm (Singapore Time), causing the bridge to collapse. 

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

Classification societies are generally authorised by a flag administration to monitor compliance to technical standards and the applicable regulations by vessels registered under its flag.

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.

“The vessel also underwent and passed two separate foreign port state inspections in June and September 2023,” MPA said in its latest statement on the incident.

“In the June 2023 inspection, a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure was rectified before the vessel departed the port.”

Dali‘s next classification and statutory surveys are due in June 2024.

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

Part of the collapsed bridge on top of “Dali”

In another statement, MPA said Dali is a 95,000 GT container vessel operating with 22 crew onboard at the time of the incident.

MPA said it was in contact with the US Coast Guard and the ship management company to provide the necessary assistance.

“As the flag state, MPA will provide full cooperation to the US Coast Guard in its investigations. MPA will also be investigating the incident,” it said in a statement. 

MPA also confirmed that it has contacted the United States Coast Guard (USGC) Headquarters and the Office of Marine Safety, National Transportation Safety Board, and offered MPA’s assistance as the flag administration to support the investigations.

“Investigators from the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau and MPA are making their way to Baltimore, Maryland,” it added. 

“The ship management company, Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, reported to MPA that just prior to the incident, the vessel had experienced momentary loss of propulsion. As a result, she was unable to maintain the desired heading and collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge.”

The vessel was reported to have dropped its anchors as part of the vessel’s emergency procedures prior to its impact with the bridge. The vessel was under pilotage at the time of the incident.

The vessel is currently holding onto its position at the site of the collision and is in a stable condition. All 22 crew members are safe and accounted for.

MPA added search and rescue efforts led by US authorities are ongoing.

The US Coast Guard said there were reports of persons in the water following the collapse of the bridge. 

“Response boat crews from Coast Guard Stations Curtis Bay and Annapolis have crews deployed to the incident for active search and rescue,” it said in a statement. 

FBI Evidence Response Team members work at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore on March 26

FBI Evidence Response Team members work at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore on March 26

A Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, Coast Guard investigators and pollution responders also responded to the incident. 

Marty Durbin, senior vice president of policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement in response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early this morning.”

“While search and rescue operations for the victims of this terrible incident are the priority, we are working closely with the Maryland State Chamber of Commerce, the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, as well as other industry and government partners to assess its impact and provide assistance.”

“As a critical thoroughfare for Maryland and the East Coast, this bridge has kept people, businesses, and communities connected.”

“Unfortunately, its prolonged closure will likely disrupt commercial activities and supply chains that rely on the bridge and Port of Baltimore each day. We will support the many individuals, businesses, and communities affected by this incident and help to both identify and implement solutions during this challenging time.”

 

Photo credit: Baltimore County Fire Department / FBI Baltimore
Published: 27 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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3 weeks ago

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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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