Written Reply to Parliamentary Questions on Transport Safety Investigation Bureau's Probe into Crash of Singapore-Registered Container Vessel at Baltimore Bridge

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the Francis Scott Key Bridge crash in Baltimore, USA

a.     when will the independent marine safety investigation by the Ministry's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau be completed; and

b.     whether the Ministry can (i) identify any preliminary lessons that will help prevent risk of future marine incidents and (ii) provide an update on the well-being of the crew of Dali.

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport

a.     whether an update can be provided on the status of the investigation by the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau into the collision of the Singapore registered container vessel, the Dali, onto the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, United States;

b.     how long will the investigation take;

c.     whether the Ministry will make public in full the Bureau’s findings; and

d.     whether the Ministry can share any preliminary findings uncovered to date.

Reply by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat:

1.     The Ministry of Transport’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau is participating in the marine safety investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board of the United States in accordance with the International Maritime Organization guidelines. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), as the flag administration of the container vessel Dali, is also conducting a separate investigation into the incident.

2.    As the investigations are still ongoing, it is premature to identify the probable causes of the incident or comment on when the investigations will be completed.

3.     MPA is working closely with the ship owner and manager to ensure the psychological and physical well-being of the crew. The crew are assisting with the investigations and are safe.