The bulk carrier that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, United States, a nearly 300-meter vessel named Dali under a Singaporean flag, was involved in another collision at the Port of Antwerp on July 11, 2016. During one of the ship’s several calls in Belgium between 2015 and 2019, a wall of the quay was damaged, according to information confirmed to El Periódico de Catalunya, which is part of the same media group as this outlet.
According to a specialized source, Shipwrecklog, the Dali was maneuvering to leave the container terminal and head for the port of Bremen when the ship’s bow swung wide and its stern struck the dock wall. The vessel sustained significant damage to multiple sections of the hull but remained afloat. There were no reports of injuries or pollution, and the Dali was detained in Antwerp for repairs and inspection.
Vesselfinder, another industry site, notes that the weather at the time was favorable and attributes the collision to human error by the captain and the pilot. The dock area itself also suffered damage, prompting authorities to close it for safety reasons.
After an accident, independent experts typically conduct an inquiry to assess the damage. In this case, the maritime commission carried out the investigation, according to Elke Verbeelen, the port’s communications officer, who did not disclose the causes, conclusions, or measures adopted at the time.
The same spokesperson noted that a vessel could depart the port only after the navigability and seaworthiness of the ship had been confirmed by experts. In other words, a ship can leave the port only once those professionals have established it can resume safe sailing.