Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA Singapore) Teo Eng Dih has extended to Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Commandant US Coast Guard, MPA’s continued support to the US Coast Guard and the local authorities on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
MPA Singapore is working with the ship management company Synergy Marine to facilitate information exchange to support the US Coast Guard in its investigation.
MPA has also requested the vessel’s classification society, ClassNK, to prepare the technical assessment and stability calculations, which are important parameters to support the US Coast Guard in the planning and subsequent safe execution of the vessel salvage operations.
MPA noted it works with eight international classification societies, appointed as MPA’s Recognised Organisations, to survey, inspect and ensure Singapore-flagged vessels comply with all applicable statutory requirements. As part of its flag state obligations, MPA will investigate whether there have been any infringements of relevant statutory requirements under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
In another statement, MPA Singapore, which revealed ship “lost propulsion” before the incident, 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.
Additionally, the boxship, which is involved in an accident for the second time, underwent and passed two separate foreign port state inspections in June and September 2023, according to MPA’s records. 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.
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The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), under Singapore’s Ministry of Transport, will conduct an independent marine safety investigation under the International Maritime Organization’s Casualty Investigation Code to identify lessons to prevent future marine casualties and incidents. MPA noted that TSIB’s marine safety investigation does not seek to apportion responsibility or determine the liability for the incident.
MPA added it will continue to work with the ship management company to ensure that the welfare of Dali’s crew is taken care of throughout the incident, and that the company fully cooperates with the relevant local authorities.
