The State of Maryland has reached a settlement in principle with the Singapore companies that own and operate the cargo ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge and killed six people.

Attorney General Anthony Brown on Thursday announced the agreement with Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Group, the Dali companies. The settlement would resolve the state’s claims against the companies for the destruction of the bridge, harm to the Patapsco River and the sweeping economic losses suffered by Maryland and its residents.

The ship hit the Baltimore bridge in the early morning of March 24, 2024, killing six construction workers who were filling potholes and sending the span crashing into the Patapsco River.

State officials did not disclose a settlement amount and declined to answer questions about the terms, saying the deal was being finalized. The announcement comes ahead of a June hearing as the Dali companies go to federal court to limit their liability in the disaster.

“For two years, Maryland workers, families, and communities have carried the weight of a disaster that should never have happened,” Brown said in a statement. “Our work is not finished, but this settlement is an important step toward making Maryland whole.”

Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine, did not immediately have a comment on the settlement.

Maryland sued the owner and operator of the Dali cargo ship in September 2024, alleging that the government and the people of Maryland have suffered massive losses from the bridge collapse and that it was caused by negligence and shortcuts by the Dali’s crew, owner and manager.

U.S. Senior District Judge James K. Bredar is set on June 1 to preside over a trial to determine whether Grace Ocean Private and Synergy Marine Group can cap their liability in the disaster to about $44 million. That amount represents the estimated value of the ship and its cargo.

The state was among many parties to make a claim in the case, including Baltimore’s government, the families of construction workers who were killed, some businesses who said they were affected and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Dali owner and manager previously agreed to pay more than $100 million to settle with the DOJ, which had accused the companies of negligence and mismanagement. An insurance carrier that paid out $350 million to the state of Maryland for the bridge collapse also reached a settlement. Those terms have not been disclosed.

Parties remaining in the case include family members of the victims, local governments and businesses. And the settlement does not include state claims against shipbuilder Hyundai.

Rebuilding the bridge is expected to take until 2030 and cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion.

This story may be updated.