MSC Elsa shipwreck: Company refuses to pay ₹9,531 Cr compensation demanded by Kerala Govt

Kochi: MSC Elsa, the shipping company involved in the vessel accident, has informed the High Court that it is unable to deposit the compensation amount demanded by the Kerala government. The state had approached the High Court seeking ₹9,531 crore as compensation from the shipping company.

The Kerala government filed the petition citing the extensive damage caused to the environment, marine resources and the livelihoods of fishermen as a result of the ship accident. While considering the plea, the High Court had earlier ordered the arrest of another vessel owned by the company — MSC Aquitaine 2 — until a decision on the compensation claim was reached.

On Thursday, MSC informed the court that it could not pay the amount demanded by the government. Following this, the High Court extended the arrest period of MSC Aquitaine 2. The vessel, currently anchored at Vizhinjam Port, is not permitted to leave due to the court's order.

The accident occurred on May 24 off the coast of Kochi, involving the MSC Elsa 3 vessel. The ship was carrying over 600 containers, many of which included hazardous chemicals. A huge number of these containers fell into the sea, and several were later washed ashore along various parts of the southern Kerala coast.