India Pursues $1.1 Billion Compensation Following May's MSC Fuel Spill Disaster

According to a report from Bloomberg, the state of Kerala in southern India has taken legal action against MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. due to environmental harm resulting from the capsizing of one of its vessels off the coast. The Kerala government is pursuing a hefty claim of 95.31 billion rupees (approximately $1.1 billion) from the shipping company,following the sinking of the MSC ELSA 3,which was transporting hazardous materials and significant amounts of fuel when it went down in May.In a recent ruling by Kerala’s High Court, port operator Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt has been instructed to hold onto another container owned by MSC untill either payment is made or initiated by the ship’s owners. Interestingly, this order does not hinder cargo operations on board as preparations continue for a case review set for July 10.

The court’s decision outlines that out of the total claim, around 86.26 billion rupees is earmarked for addressing damage inflicted on local ecosystems caused by the MSC ELSA 3 incident. Additionally, there are allocations for remediation efforts totaling 3.78 billion rupees and compensation amounting to 5.27 billion rupees aimed at supporting local fishermen who have suffered income losses due to this disaster.

This situation highlights broader concerns about maritime safety and environmental protection in coastal regions worldwide—issues that resonate beyond just India’s shores but also affect communities globally reliant on marine resources for their livelihoods and well-being.