Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine ask court to delay Dali civil trial after criminal indictment

Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd have asked a federal judge in Baltimore to delay or stay the civil trial over the Dali bridge-collapse case, saying newly unsealed criminal charges could affect their defense.

The trial is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2026. The companies filed the motion after the Justice Department unsealed criminal charges on May 12 tied to the Key Bridge collapse.

The motion argues that the criminal case could complicate the companies’ ability to defend themselves in the civil proceeding. Local reporting said the filing was made on Monday, May 18, and sought either a stay or a continuance.

The civil case comes after a major development in Maryland’s broader response to the collapse. On May 12, state officials announced a final $2.25 billion settlement with Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine in the state civil case.

What happens next depends on whether the federal judge grants any delay. If the court does not pause the case, the civil trial is still set to move forward on June 1.