Chubb, which had insured Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, is getting ready to pay US$350 million to the state of Maryland, in what could be the first major payout tied to the collapsing of the bridge in March.

The payment is expected to be authorised within weeks, a spokesperson for WTW, the broker for the bridge’s insurance policy, confirmed on Thursday (May 2).

The payout is likely to be the first of many related to the disaster that analysts have said might cost insurers up to US$4 billion, making it a record shipping insurance loss.

The tragedy that killed six people occurred after a Singapore-flagged container ship collided with the landmark bridge.

The FBI has also launched a criminal probe into the incident that led to the closure of one of the busiest US ports.

Plans for the US$350 million payout were first reported by the Wall Street Journal, which said Chubb, along with Maryland and the families of the victims of the crash, will likely sue the shipowner and others to recoup losses from the crash.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

Chubb declined to comment to a Reuters request for comment.

The mayor and city council of Baltimore filed a lawsuit against the owner and operator of the ship last week, accusing them of negligence. REUTERS