MSC boosts capacity and switches hubs on South Asia services
MSC is rebooting its hub operations for the ocean trades in and out of South ...
MSC Elsa 3. Photo: Indian Coast Guard
After nearly three weeks and clouds of uncertainty, India’s Kerala state authority has hit MSC with a criminal case following the sinking of the MSC Elsa 3 off Cochin on 24 May.
The move comes despite unconfirmed reports that the Indian authorities were not in favour of action against the Geneva-based shipping giant in the context of its growing investment interests in the country, particularly for container relays at Vizhinjam port.
Sources said the ship’s master and entire crew have been named in the alleged offence.
“In the aftermath of the incident, hazardous plastic materials from the ship’s containers spread across the sea, triggering environmental concerns,” the initial investigation report said.
“The mishap also caused significant financial losses to the local fishing community, and disrupted shipping operations as multiple containers fell into the sea, blocking navigation routes.”
One Cochin-based lawyer source told The Loadstar: “The case broadly involves various provisions of the Indian criminal law, indicting them for rash navigation and negligent handling of hazardous goods.”
It’s expected that local police will summon officials from MSC India and the crew members to record statements before filing a final report for the trial before the local court of jurisdiction.
The 28-year-old, Liberia-flagged MSC Elsa 3 reportedly had 643 containers on board, including 13 containing hazardous goods and 12 with calcium carbide. While some 60 containers have washed ashore so far, serious concerns persist over dangerous cargo that may have gone down with the vessel to the seabed.
Indian litigation is typically lengthy and cumbersome, and it remains to be seen how MSC will deal with any criminal proceedings.
Meanwhile, salvage operations at the site are continuing, but there has been no official word from the carrier’s side to date.
“Container salvage efforts along the shoreline have seen continued progress,” said India’s Directorate General of Shipping. “MSC and the protection and indemnity (P&I) club insurer of the vessel had appointed the firm MERC for removal of containers and other shoreline clean-up activities.”
The country’s maritime administrator also said it continued to monitor the situation closely, as a detailed investigation into the cause of the sinking takes place.
Meanwhile, firefighting efforts on the Wan Hai 503, following onboard explosions reported on Monday, continue with some progress, according to reports.
But the fate of four missing crew members is still unknown. Eighteen others were rescued, some with injuries after they jumped into the sea to escape the blaze.
The Taiwanese liner and crew could face similar criminal proceedings in India following the ‘back-to-back’ ship casualty.
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