Kerala Sues Company For $1.1Billion Over Environmental Damage

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI- The Kerala government has initiated a lawsuit against Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), seeking $1.1 billion in damages following a significant oil spill in May. The incident occurred when the Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA3 capsized off the Kerala coast, leading to fuel leakage and the release of its cargo into the Arabian Sea.

In a related development, the Kerala High Court on July 7 ordered the “arrest, seizure, and detention” of another MSC vessel, the MSC AKITETA II, currently anchored at Vizhinjam Port. This order, Reuters reported, mandates the ship’s detention until MSC deposits securities for the compensation claim. The state government accused the owners and managers of MSC ELSA3 of causing extensive pollution.

According to a court filing by the Kerala Environment Department, the state government asserts that the oil spill caused “massive pollution of Kerala’s marine ecosystem,” with oil slicks and floating cargo severely damaging the environment, coastal fisheries, and public health. The department further stated that the sunken vessel carried 643 cargo containers, resulting in extensive damage.

Following the incident, the Kerala government advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea and provided cash and food relief to approximately 105,518 families involved in the fishing industry, Reuters added.