Dali Cargo Ship Specifications and Causes of Baltimore’s Francis Key Bridge Collision

JAKARTA – Reason Dali cargo ship that crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Key Bridge is under investigation. Initial suspicions point to a failure in the ship’s electrical system.

The Dali cargo ship accident that hit the Francis Key Bridge, Baltimore, Maryland, on Tuesday (28/3/2024) morning is still under investigation.
The initial suspicion was that an electrical system failure caused the ship to lose power.

The investigation focused on a possible power outage on the ship that could be an indication of mechanical failure. Although maritime accidents are quite common, “allision” (collision of a moving object into a stationary object) with such severe consequences is relatively rare.

Ship Blackouts Before Collision

Videos on social media show the Dali’s ship’s lights going out, turning on for a moment, then turning off completely before finally crashing into a bridge support pillar
Loss of electrical power on cargo ships and cruise ships has occurred several times. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires international ships to have two independent power sources to ensure navigation.

Investigations Focus on Electrical Systems

According to Clay Diamond, executive director of the American Pilots’ Association, the emergency generator was likely the reason the ship’s lights came back on after a complete blackout. When this happens, the ship can still be turned a little, but eventually the power to move is lost completely.

Dali Ship Specifications:

– Built 2015 in South Korea, size 984 feet, speed 25 mph.
– Owned by Grace Ocean Pte Ltd (Singapore), operated by Synergy Marine Group
– Carrying Maersk cargo when the accident occurred.
– Maersk expresses deep concern and is monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, Synergy as the operator reported no casualties and no pollution.

Dali had sailed around the world before arriving in Baltimore. The ship is still at the scene pending the results of investigations regarding system failure. This incident sparked attention to the safety standards of large cargo ships.

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