Kochi: In a landmark legal move, the Kerala government has filed an admiralty suit in the Kerala High Court against Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), seeking Rs 9,531 crore in compensation for environmental damage caused by the sinking of the MSC Elsa-3 off the state’s coast.

The admiralty suit, the first of its kind in Kerala for such a substantial compensation claim, has been filed under laws governing maritime activities, specifically those relating to accidents in navigable waters and commercial contracts involving shipping.

Justice M A Abdul Hakim, who heard the urgent petition on Monday at 5.30 p.m., issued an interim order to arrest the MSC company’s vessel MSC Akiteta II, which had docked at Vizhinjam port. The court acted swiftly, considering the possibility that the ship could leave the port by Tuesday morning.

The Rs 9,531 crore compensation demand is based on multiple factors, including the extensive environmental damage caused by the sunken vessel, the cost of clean-up and mitigation, and the economic losses suffered by local fishing communities.

The High Court has ordered that MSC Akiteta II remain under arrest at Vizhinjam port until the compensation is secured. Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kurup and Government Pleader Parvathy Kottol represented the state government during the proceedings.

Loss count
PollutionRs 8626.12 crore
Environmental restoration and preventionRs 378.48 crore
Financial losses to fishermenRs 526.51 crore
TotalRs 9531 crore

Six percent interest should also be allowed until the petition is resolved.