The ship, escorted by three tugboats and the U.S. Coast Guard, was moving at approximately 10 knots as it exited Hampton Roads. The Coast Guard enforced a 500-yard safety zone around the vessel, accompanying it out to the Chesapeake Bay buoy.
According to the ship’s AIS data, Dali is en route to Ningbo, Zhoushan, China, with an expected arrival on November 4, 46 days after its departure. Harbor cameras showed the ship riding high in the water, indicating it was not carrying any containers.
Dali had been in Norfolk since June, following its transfer from Baltimore to Portsmouth and later to Norfolk for repairs and offloading. By late August, the vessel had been completely emptied, and the owners notified the court that the ship would depart for China, where further repairs are expected to take place.
Multiple Legal Claims
The incident has resulted in multiple legal claims, with the U.S. Department of Justice recently filing a $100 million claim to cover the costs of debris removal and reopening Baltimore Harbor. The filing also cited issues with the ship’s electrical systems and maintenance, claiming the incident was preventable.
Maryland is expected to file additional claims related to the damage and replacement of the bridge. Further claims from Baltimore City, local businesses, and the families of workers who died during the bridge collapse are also anticipated.
No criminal charges have been filed at this time, though the Federal Bureau of Investigations has inspected the vessel and is conducting an ongoing investigation