**Companies Settle for Over $100 Million After Key Bridge Collision**

In a significant legal resolution, two companies linked to the Dali cargo ship that collided with the Key Bridge have agreed to pay over $100 million to settle a civil claim from the United States, as announced by the U.S. Department of Justice. This settlement aims to cover the costs borne by the U.S. Treasury and several federal agencies that were directly impacted by the collapse of the Key Bridge.

The companies, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, have committed to paying a total of $101,980,000. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, who leads the Justice Department's Civil Division, emphasized the importance of this outcome. “This is a tremendous outcome that fully compensates the United States for the costs it incurred in responding to this disaster and holds the owner and operator of the Dali accountable,” Boynton remarked. He also noted that the prompt resolution helps avoid the potential expenses associated with prolonged litigation.

It is noteworthy that this settlement does not encompass any funds for the reconstruction of the Key Bridge itself. The task of rebuilding and operating the bridge falls under the jurisdiction of Maryland, which has initiated a separate claim for the damages incurred.

This settlement serves as a critical financial remedy for the federal government and underscores the accountability of maritime operations in national infrastructure incidents.