The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is facing ongoing legal challenges in India as the Kerala High Court temporarily detained another of its vessels due to claims stemming from the sinking of the MSC Elsa 3 in May. This marks the fourth MSC ship caught up in legal disputes related to the incident, with one vessel still held in port for over a month.

Four Indian fishermen filed claims with the Kerala High Court, alleging that debris from the sunken MSC Elsa 3 damaged their fishing boats and equipment. According to their filings, floating debris entangled their nets and caused losses of chains, ropes, and other gear. The claims coincided with the arrival of the Liberian-flagged MSC Palermo (199,999 dwt, 15,576 TEU), a 2024-built containership, at Vizhinjam port. The fishermen requested the vessel’s detention until their claims were addressed.

On August 12, the court ordered the detention of MSC Palermo, but MSC posted a bond of approximately $296,551, allowing the ship to resume its journey to Portugal on August 13. This follows similar detentions of MSC Polo II and MSC Manasa F in June, both released after bonds were posted. However, MSC Akiteta II, detained since July 8 over a $1 billion claim by the state, remains at Vizhinjam port with no immediate release in sight.

MSC’s legal team has moved to consolidate all claims into a single case to streamline proceedings and limit liability, proposing a cap of $14 million based on the vessel’s value. They also contested the extent of the government’s claims for environmental remediation and other costs. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has reported debris from the incident reaching its shores, roughly 500 miles away, and is seeking compensation.

The Directorate General of Shipping (DSG) reported ongoing salvage efforts, including the recovery of an empty container found floating in the ocean. At least 60 containers have been retrieved, along with significant amounts of plastic nurdles and other debris from coastal areas. Salvage operations are advancing, with teams preparing to pump fuel from the sunken vessel’s tanks after weather-related delays.

As claims continue to emerge, MSC faces a complex legal and environmental fallout from the MSC Elsa 3 incident, with no clear end in sight.

Source: The Maritime Executive