Latest news with #MSCElsa-3
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Shipping company conveys to HC inability to deposit ₹9,531 crore as damages for sunken ship
Three days after the Kerala government moved an admiralty suit before the Kerala High Court seeking arrest of the vessel MSC Akiteta-2, owned by MSC Shipping Company, as security for a ₹9,531-crore compensation claim, the shipping company informed the court on Thursday that it would be unable to deposit this amount. The compensation was claimed for marine and coastal pollution, loss of fishers' livelihood, and the 'remediation' measures due to the sinking of the company's container vessel MSC Elsa-3 off the Alappuzha coast on May 25. Following this, a Bench of Justice M.A. Abdul Hakhim extended the interim arrest of MSC Akiteta-2 that is berthed at the Vizhinjam port till August 6 and posted the case for hearing on the day. Firm's contention The shipping company contended that there is no report so far of oil pollution after the vessel's sinking and that the oil sheen that spread within one nautical mile off MSC Elsa 3 was completely removed by the 'ship owner.' It further said the claim was exaggerated for want of supporting documents. The court directed the government to file its counter affidavit with supporting documents within two weeks, and the applicant company to file its rejoinder if any within a further period of one week, for the court to finally dispose of the application.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Kerala High Court orders arrest of cargo ship in Rs 9,531-crore damage case
In response to Kerala government's admiralty suit seeking a claim of Rs 9,531 crore following the wreck of container vessel MSC Elsa-3 along the state's coast, the high court on Monday directed the conditional arrest of Liberia-flagged container ship MSC Akiteta II which is currently anchored in Vizhinjam port. The bench of Justice M A Abdul Hakim said the vessel MSC Akiteta II 'along with her hull, tackle, engine, machinery spares, gear, apparel, paraphernalia is ordered to be arrested until Rs 9,531 crore is deposited by the ship in the court or until security for the said amount is furnished by the ship'. Vizhinjam port, operated by Adani group, was directed to execute the arrest of the ship. The matter will come up for hearing again on July 10. The vessel MSC Akiteta II is owned by MSC Shipping Co, which owned the sunken ship MSC Elsa. The claim of Rs 9,531 crore is for pollution (oil and cargo), remediation measures and for loss of livelihood caused to fishermen. The Kerala government's secretary to the environment department had filed the admiralty suit, seeking Rs 8,626.12 croes as compensation towards damage caused by MSC Elsa-3 to the environment, coastline and related interests of the state. Another chunk of the claim, Rs 378.48 crore is meant for taking measures to prevent, minimise or remove the damage caused by the said vessel to the environment, coastline, and related interest in the state. The loss for the fishermen has been pegged at Rs 526.51 crore.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Sinking of MSC Elsa-3: Kerala files admiralty suit seeking ₹9,531-crore compensation for marine pollution, economic loss to fishers
The Kerala government on Monday moved an admiralty suit in the High Court against the vessel MSC Akiteta-2, which is owned by MSC Shipping Company, as security for a ₹9,531-crore compensation claim for marine and coastal pollution , the subsequent loss of livelihood caused to fishers, and the 'remediation' measures following the sinking of the company's container vessel MSC Elsa-3 off the Alappuzha coast on May 25. Following this, the court ordered interim arrest of MSC Akiteta-2, currently berthed at the Vizhinjam port, till July 10. The admiralty suit was filed before the Bench of Justice M.A. Abdul Hakim by Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kurup who was assisted by government pleader Parvathy Kottol, citing the grave environmental, ecological, and economic damage due to the sinking of the vessel. The maritime compensation has been sought under the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017. Harmful nurdles Among others, the vessel was carrying over 643 containers, which included hazardous cargo and plastic pellets known as 'nurdles'. The subsequent oil slick and floating cargo is a serious threat to not only coastal fisheries but to public health. As on June 30, a total of 61 containers washed ashore and about 60 tonnes of plastic nurdles were collected as part of the clean-up operations by over 600 government personnel and 300 volunteers. Fisheries sector hit The fisheries market has suffered a severe crash due to the fear of contamination, while six carcasses, including of dolphins and a whale that are suspected to have died due to exposure to microplastics and toxic substances from the vessel, were found washed ashore. This has in turn affected the coastal economy and public confidence, says the admiralty suit, while claiming ₹8,626.12 crore for the damage due to pollution, ₹378.48 crore to restore the environment and ₹526.51 crore for economic loss to fishers. The government further submitted that the sunken ship and MSC Akiteta-2 are sister ships under a common operator, despite their registration under different shell companies. This shows a pattern of deliberate corporate structuring to defeat potential claims and this structure is a fraudulent device to frustrate maritime claim enforcement.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
How the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 exposed India's maritime blind spots
How the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 exposed India's maritime blind spots PTI The Liberian container vessel, carrying marine fuel, that developed a critical 26-degree list nearly 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi on Saturday, tilts further in the sea off the coast of Kerala, in Kochi, on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Synopsis The sinking of MSC Elsa 3, a container ship, off the coast of Kerala exposes deep systemic fault lines in India's maritime governance. By P MANOJ 12 Mins Read, Jul 01, 2025, 05:00 AM IST SHARE THIS NEWS Close Font Size Abc Small Small Abc Normal Normal Abc Large Close On the morning of May 25, a tragic sight was spotted off the coast of Kerala. The Liberian-flagged container ship 'MSC Elsa-3' capsized and sank, disappearing beneath the waves with over 640 containers, including at least a dozen carrying hazardous chemicals. What initially seemed like an isolated shipping accident soon unraveled into a troubling tale of material loss, environmental danger, and systemic vulnerability. This tragedy stands as a
Economic Times
30-06-2025
- General
- Economic Times
How the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 exposed India's maritime blind spots
On the morning of May 25, a tragic sight was spotted off the coast of Kerala. The Liberian-flagged container ship 'MSC Elsa-3' capsized and sank, disappearing beneath the waves with over 640 containers, including at least a dozen carrying hazardous chemicals. What initially seemed like an isolated shipping accident soon unraveled into a troubling tale of material loss, environmental danger, and systemic vulnerability. This tragedy stands as a
