Thiruvananthapuram: In a major legal move, the Kerala High Court has ordered the detention of MSC Akiteta II, a sister ship of the ill-fated MSC Elsa-3, at Vizhinjam Port, in connection with a staggering ₹9,531 crore compensation claim. The action comes after the May 25 sinking of MSC Elsa-3 off the Kochi coast, which unleashed hazardous cargo, toxic chemicals, and plastic nurdles into the sea, causing catastrophic environmental damage and devastating the livelihoods of local fishermen. The claim includes ₹8,626 crore for pollution damages, ₹378 crore for cleanup, and ₹526 crore for economic losses. The High Court, invoking the Admiralty Act of 2017, has barred the vessel from leaving port unless the full amount is deposited or secured, though loading and unloading may continue.
The Adani-managed Vizhinjam Port Authority has been instructed to enforce the arrest. With over 640 containers lost, including dangerous substances like calcium carbide, Kerala’s coastline has suffered alarming levels of pollution, prompting mass cleanup efforts. The next hearing in this high-stakes legal battle is scheduled for July 10, as the state seeks justice for one of its worst maritime disasters in recent history.
