The Liberia-flagged MSC Elsa 3 that sank off the Alappuzha coast in the Arabian Sea on May 25.
An admiralty suit has been filed before the Kerala High Court seeking limitation of liability for compensation claims worth ₹9,531 crore for marine and coastal pollution, the subsequent loss of livelihood caused to fishers, and ‘‘remediation’’ measures, following the sinking of container vessel MSC Elsa-3 off the Alappuzha coast on May 25.
The suit was filed by ELSA 3 Maritime Inc., claiming to be the registered owner of the vessel. The court on Wednesday directed the High Court Registry to number the petition, which had previously not been numbered due to certain defects, and posted the case for hearing on August 21.
In the suit, the petitioner also highlighted the urgency of the matter, noting that seven parties had already initiated claims, resulting in the arrest of a few vessels. It sought to limit the liability, citing relevant provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act and the International Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, to which India is a signatory.
Published – August 07, 2025 12:41 am IST
