The Kerala High Court has ordered that the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MSC Manasa F—sister ship of the ill-fated MSC Elsa 3—can only be released from Vizhinjam Port after its owners deposit a ₹6 crore security for potential compensation claims.
This action follows admiralty suits filed by six Kerala-based cashew importers who lost cargo worth ₹4.75 crore in the MSC Elsa 3 tragedy. The vessel sank off the Kerala coast on May 25, triggering financial losses and an environmental scare. Justice Abdul Hakhim clarified that the ship would be permitted to depart Indian waters only after the court receives the deposit—promptly made by the vessel’s owners. The next hearing is set for July 15.
In a parallel development, Kerala Police have filed criminal charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the vessel’s owners, captain, and crew, citing reckless navigation, improper handling of hazardous cargo, and obstruction of public waterways.
The sunken MSC Elsa 3 was carrying 640 containers, including dangerous goods like calcium carbide and large volumes of diesel and fuel oil, sparking fears of long-term environmental damage. Wreckage and containers have already washed up on the shores of Alappuzha, Kollam, and Ernakulam.
Given the scale of the disaster, the Kerala government declared it a state-specific disaster on May 29, intensifying scrutiny over shipping safety and liability.
This case has now become a significant legal and environmental flashpoint, potentially shaping future maritime safety and liability standards in India.
