HC orders arrest of vessel till firm pays ₹9,531 cr for ELSA 3

The Kerala government ‘on Monday filed an admiralty suit in the high court claiming compensation of ₹9,531 crore for damage to the marine environment and coastline, and economic losses to the fishing community in connection with the sinking of the MSC ELSA 3 vessel off the coast of Kochi on May 25.

- Vishnu Varma

In its suit, the state government claimed ₹8,626.12 crore as compensation towards damage to the environment, coastline and related interests of the state, ₹378.48 crore for measures taken to prevent or minimise the damage caused by the vessel and ₹526.51 crore for economic losses caused to the fishworkers.

“The compensation has been computed following the Central Pollution Control Board guidelines,” it said.

The state government, represented by advocate general K Gopalakrishna Kurup, petitioned the bench headed by justice MA Abdul Hakhim to issue a warrant of arrest against the vessel MSC Akiteta 2, currently anchored at the Vizhinjam International Seaport near Thiruvan-anthapuram, until the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) furnishes the security for the maritime claim. The government argued that both ELSA 3 and Akiteta 2 are registered in the names of two sister companies of MSC and that both are managed, operated, and owned by the same firm.