The container ship Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, USA

Source: The post the container ship Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, USA has been created, based on the article “The Baltimore ship accident, the high stakes for India” published in “The Hindu” on 10th June 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-infrastructure-shipping

Context: The article discusses a major accident where a ship called Dali hit a bridge in Baltimore, USA, causing deaths and massive damage. The ship was managed by an Indian company, and its crew was mostly Indian. There are concerns about the crew’s actions leading to the accident.

What happened with the ship Dali?

1. On March 26, 2024, the container ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, USA.

2.The crash was one of the most high-profile maritime accidents in the U.S. since the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989.

3. The crash resulted in at least six fatalities and extensive damage worth millions of dollars.

4.The ship was managed by Synergy Maritime Group, a company with significant Indian leadership and operations.

5. Insurance experts predict the accident might lead to a record insurance payout, potentially surpassing the $1.5 billion paid for the Costa Concordia disaster.
6. Early investigations suggested crew errors related to two onboard blackouts might have contributed to the crash.

What are the implications of this accident for India?

1. Indian seafarer remittances contribute 15% of India’s foreign direct investment annually.
2. Synergy Maritime Group, managing the Dali, employs thousands of Indian seafarers. Concerns arise over potential negligence, which could harm the reputation of Indian seafarers. Negative perceptions could impact employment opportunities for Indian seafarers globally.

3.The involvement of Indian seafarers in the Dali accident brings attention to their training and certification processes, which are usually rigorous to ensure competent ship operations. The final report may influence the global perception of Indian seafarers’ competence and certification.

What actions did the Indian government take?

1. Impleaded as a Substantially Interested State: The Indian government took swift action by impleading India as a Substantially Interested State under the Casualty Investigation Code of the International Maritime Organization. This allowed India to be directly involved in the investigation of the Dali accident.
2. Participation in the Investigation: Indian shipping officials were included as part of the on-site investigation team. This involvement ensured that India could monitor the investigative process closely.
3. Review and Comment on the Final Report: Before the release of the final report, Indian officials will have the opportunity to review and contest any findings that could potentially damage the reputation of Indian seafarers.

What did the U.S. government do?

1. Presidential Praise: U.S. President Joe Biden publicly praised the Indian seafarers on the Dali for their quick response in alerting the authorities after losing control of the ship, which helped mitigate further damage by enabling the immediate shutdown of the bridge.
2. Reducing Tensions: Biden’s commendation was intended to counteract any potential anti-Indian sentiments that might arise from the incident, reflecting a diplomatic effort to maintain good bilateral relations.

Question for practice:

Examine the involvement of Indian seafarers in the Dali accident and the actions taken by both the Indian and U.S. governments in response to the incident.