THE Singapore-based owner and manager of the containership Dali have filed a petition in the US, seeking to exonerate themselves or limit the damages that could arise from the collapse of a Baltimore bridge after the vessel rammed into it.

According to the court application by Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine – the respective owner and manager of Dali –submitted on Monday (Apr 1) to the District Court in Maryland, the allision (striking of a vessel against a fixed object) was not due to any fault, neglect or lack of care on the part of the two companies, the vessel or any persons or entities for whose acts they may be responsible.

However, should they be liable, the companies are asking to invoke the Limitation of Liability Act to cap compensation at about US$43.6 million. This is the remaining value of the ship and its freight after taking into account repair and salvage costs.