Kochi:The Fort Kochi Coastal Police have filed a criminal case against the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world’s largest container shipping firms, following the sinking of the MSC Elsa-3 off the Kerala coast. The Liberian-flagged cargo vessel went down in the Arabian Sea on May 25, triggering major environmental and economic concerns.
The case, filed on a complaint by the Alappuzha CPM area secretary, names MSC as the prime accused, followed by the ship’s captain and crew members. According to the FIR, the vessel was carrying hazardous cargo, including explosives, toxic substances, and plastics, which were allegedly handled without adhering to safety protocols. The spillage has caused severe environmental damage, with debris washing ashore along Kerala’s southern coastline, and has reportedly disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen.
Out of the 640 containers onboard, 13 contained dangerous goods, officials confirmed. Rough seas are believed to have caused the vessel to sink about 14.6 nautical miles off the coast, with the incident now under criminal investigation.
Interestingly, earlier reports suggested that the Kerala government had initially opted against legal action, choosing instead to seek compensation through insurance, partly to preserve ties with MSC, a key player in the Vizhinjam port project. However, the police move appears to reverse that stance.
A high-level meeting on May 29 in Thiruvananthapuram—attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan, and the Chief Secretary—had discussed the state’s response.
The MSC Elsa-3, registered in Liberia and operated by the Geneva-based MSC, is now at the center of a growing controversy over marine safety, corporate accountability, and environmental responsibility in Indian waters.
