Wire Label Error Led to Container Ship Power Outage

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that an incorrectly placed wire label caused a power outage on the Dali container ship prior to its crash into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024, resulting in the bridge’s collapse and the deaths of six construction workers. NTSB officials indicated that the label’s poor placement may have disrupted the ship’s steering and operational systems. The crash led to significant financial implications, with bridge replacement costs now estimated at $4.3 to $5.2 billion and a reopening expected around late 2030. Investigations continue to determine the exact cause of the power outage and its timing, as the ship experienced power losses just before the incident.