BALTIMORE — U.S. District Judge James Bredar refused to postpone the civil trial over the 2024 collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, keeping its June 1, 2026 start date in place. Bredar rejected a request for a delay from companies involved in the collapse.

"We're ready to go," Bredar said during a hearing. The judge said that sticking with the current trial schedule would be the most efficient use of judicial resources.

Company attorneys said trial witnesses are reluctant to testify before the criminal case is resolved. Attorney Daniel Rose disagreed, telling the court that "The companies have known since 'day one' that criminal charges were likely to be filed." He added, "We're all prepared (for trial). Let's proceed."

The container ship Dali lost power and crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early-morning hours of March 26, 2024. Six construction workers filling potholes were killed when the bridge collapsed.

In April 2026, a $2.25 billion settlement was announced between the state of Maryland, Synergy Marine Pte Ltd and Grace Ocean Private Limited. The April settlement did not resolve the pending claims by victims' families. Grace Ocean has not been charged with any crimes related to the bridge collapse.

On May 12, 2026, Justice Department prosecutors announced indictments against Singapore-based Synergy Marine Pte Ltd and Chennai, India-based Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd. The indictment also charged Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, an Indian national who was the Dali's technical superintendent. The companies and Nair are charged with conspiracy, misconduct causing death, failing to immediately inform the U.S. Coast Guard of a hazardous condition, obstructing the National Transportation Safety Board and making false statements. The criminal indictment accuses the ship operator of intentionally relying on an improper fuel pump and lying about it to investigators. Synergy Marine Pte Ltd accused prosecutors of improperly treating the accident as a crime.