Latest news with #MSCELSA3
Time of India
11 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Recent shipwrecks off Kerala coast a serious threat to marine ecosystem, DG shipping tells Kerala HC
Kochi: The shipwrecks off the Kerala coast pose a serious threat to the marine ecosystem and coastal environment, according to an affidavit filed in the Kerala high court on behalf of the director general of shipping. The affidavit, submitted by Shitesh Ranjan, ship surveyor-cum-deputy director general (technical) in the office of the mercantile marine department, Kochi, was in response to the PIL filed by former MP T N Prathapan. The petition seeks a comprehensive compensation package for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the recent shipwrecks off Kerala. The affidavit highlighted that adrift containers from the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 not only pose a navigational hazard but also constitute a grave environmental risk, especially considering the hazardous nature of some of the cargo. As per the cargo manifest, the vessel was carrying 13 containers of Class 4.3 dangerous goods under the IMDG Code, specifically, calcium carbide, which is classified as hazardous and environmentally sensitive. The wreck is situated at a depth of 51 metres near the Indian coastline, and the presence of bunker fuel in the sunken vessel heightens the risk of an oil spill. As of June 16, a total of 60 containers had been salvaged from various points of the Kerala coastline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Importantly, none of them contained IMDG-classified cargo. The affidavit also stated that shoreline clean-up operations are currently being undertaken by the Marine Emergency Response Services (MERC). Regarding the fire onboard the Singapore-flagged container vessel Wan Hai 503, the affidavit noted that the ship was carrying approximately 143 IMDG-classified containers, including hazardous materials such as flammable liquids, flammable solids, toxic substances, corrosives, and other dangerous goods. Additionally, the vessel carried around 2,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel oil in tanks near the fire-affected zones. State seeks 77.08 crore as interim claim The state govt has sought an interim relief of Rs 77.08 crore in its first interim claim report, in connection with the capsize of cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast. The claim includes compensation for the loss of livelihoods suffered by fishermen between May 25 and June 1. According to an affidavit filed by environment department special secretary Seeram Sambasiva Rao, Rs 54.93 crore has been claimed for livelihood losses, while Rs 22.15 crore has been sought towards the expenditure incurred in managing the aftermath of the incident. The affidavit further states that the first interim claim report will be forwarded to director general of shipping within three days.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Shipwrecks: HC raises concern over state forming panel to negotiate claim details with vessel owners
Kochi: High court on Thursday raised concerns over the state govt forming a committee to negotiate compensation details with the owners of MSC ELSA 3, the cargo vessel which capsized off the Kerala coast. A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji observed that since the state proposes to invoke the high court's admiralty jurisdiction to seek compensation, it may be appropriate to defer the negotiation process for the time being. The observation came while HC was hearing public interest litigations filed by former MP T N Prathapan and Ummer Ottummal of Malappuram, seeking a comprehensive compensation package for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by recent shipwrecks along the Kerala coast. During hearing, the state submitted that the environment department special secretary has been appointed as the principal impact assessment officer. It was also stated that the state disaster management department has constituted a committee of govt officers to negotiate compensation for the damage caused by MSC ELSA 3. The committee has been tasked with addressing the cost of restoring the coastline and marine environment, removal of wrecks, economic losses suffered by fishermen and environmental degradation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo HC noted that if such is the case, concerns raised by the petitioners would merit consideration. It could be argued that negotiations involving substantial environmental damage should not be conducted behind closed doors and take place without public disclosure or procedural safeguards. Questions may arise regarding the transparency and fairness of such a process. It could be further argued that since the harm directly affects the public, the process of settlement cannot remain confidential or hidden from public view. The public has a right to know the basis of the negotiations, the extent of damage assessed, the terms being proposed, and the principles on which the settlement is being structured. The court also observed that a binding settlement between the state and the respondent company might affect claims in the proposed Admiralty suit. There is a risk that once an agreement is signed, it could influence subsequent legal proceedings, even if the terms are inadequate. On the other hand, a settlement arrived at in court after the filing of a suit would allow judicial scrutiny, ensuring transparency and bringing the terms into the public domain, the court said. Accordingly, the bench adjourned the petitions to July 2 for further response from the state and other stakeholders.
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Business Standard
15 hours ago
- General
- Business Standard
India seeks tighter container safety, cargo disclosure norms in IMO meet
After multiple incidents of vessel sinking and fires off Indian coasts, India has asked the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) to tighten container safety and cargo disclosure norms on a 'war footing'. The development comes at the heels of IMO's ongoing session of the Maritime Safety Committee, where India brought up the recent sinking of the Liberian-flagged vessel MSC ELSA 3 and a fire aboard the MV Wan Hai 503, which, according to officials aware of the matter, has still not been completely extinguished. 'These incidents highlight urgent safety concerns regarding cargo carriage on container ships. India urges a global review of packaging, stowage, and monitoring protocols of containerised cargoes, especially lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and plastic nurdles. The four incidents in quick succession within three weeks demand immediate action from stakeholders to protect seafarers' lives and the livelihoods of Indian fishermen and coastal communities,' the Indian delegation said at the maritime watchdog's safety meeting. India's stand at the meeting is that reliance solely on shipper declarations is not adequate — a call made repeatedly in the past by sector watchers around the globe. Shipowners/managers, especially container shipping lines, must adopt technology and take responsibility to prevent such incidents in a transparent manner. 'What is in a box can't be a mystery anymore. India calls on the IMO to develop stronger regulatory mechanisms for the safety of container ships, cargo management, and crew protection on a war footing,' the Indian delegation said. According to reports, MV Wan Hai 503 was carrying flammable solids (IMO Class 4.1) in 20 containers — including extremely flammable nitrocellulose with alcohol in two containers, naphthalene (crude or refined) in 12 containers, and flammable liquids in multiple containers. The vessel is also carrying over 4,900 kilograms of a spontaneously combustible (IMO Class 4.2) organometallic substance, which can combust when in contact with air and reacts with water. On May 25, MSC ELSA 3 sank 30 nautical miles southwest of Kochi. It carried 13 containers with International Maritime Dangerous Goods cargoes. Local reports, however, show a continued flow of plastic nurdles on the coast of Kerala, which are being cleaned up by local authorities. The Singapore-flagged Wan Hai 503 suffered an underdeck explosion and fire. The vessel carried 147 dangerous containers. Firefighting and towing operations, coordinated by the Directorate General of Shipping, are ongoing to prevent ecological harm. Both these incidents have caused major environmental damage to coastal fishing communities in Kerala — 65 containers have fallen overboard, many yet to be traced. Two more incidents involving vessels with flammable substances have also taken place in recent weeks off the coasts of Mumbai and Kerala. Safety investigations are ongoing, and India will share the findings of these probes at the next meeting of the Maritime Safety Committee. While the next committee meeting is scheduled for May 2026, a meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee is scheduled for October. 'Though these incidents involved foreign vessels and crew from other nationalities, we activated rapid search and rescue and emergency response,' India said.
India Today
a day ago
- General
- India Today
Kerala launches app to report shipwreck debris as 65 containers wash ashore
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has launched a web application to collect information about objects found on land and at sea in connection with the recent shipwreck off the state's application will help collect key details from citizens including the name of the person who discovered the object, their mobile number, a description of the object, its location or nearest landmark, and initiative comes as 65 containers from the Singapore-flagged container vessel Wan Hai 503, which caught fire off the Beypore coast, on June 9, have been found along Kerala's shoreline. Among the recovered materials, 21 barrels were found in the Vizhinjam and Kovalam areas of Thiruvananthapuram district and have been moved to secure storage at Vizhinjam port. Two more barrels, believed to be related to the shipwreck, washed ashore in Alappad in Kollam district and Kumbala Koippadi in Kasaragod container ship Wan Hai 503 has now been moved 57 nautical miles away from the Kerala coast, with efforts ongoing to tow it further. However, reports indicate that fire and smoke are still present to the Indian Coast Guard, more containers may drift ashore in the southern parts of Ernakulam and along the Alappuzha and Kollam coasts. Authorities have warned the public not to approach or touch any suspicious objects they may find on the shore. People are advised to stay at least 200 meters away and immediately call the emergency number 112 to inform the May 25, a Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 completely sank 14.6 nautical miles off Kerala's Thottappalli spillway, prompting a large-scale pollution response by the Indian Coast sunken vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 classified as hazardous and 12 containing calcium carbide. It also had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil on board. IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Sinking of MSC ELSA 3: Kerala HC orders conditional arrest of sister ship in claims plea
Kochi: The HC on Wednesday ordered the conditional arrest of the vessel MSC Polo II, a sister vessel of MSC ELSA 3, which had capsized and sunk off the Kerala coast on May 25. The order was passed in a petition filed by Sans Cashew India Private Ltd, seeking compensation for the loss of cargo valued at Rs 74 lakh. Justice M A Abdul Hakhim further clarified that the vessel may be released upon the production of a demand draft for the said amount before the HC registrar general. Earlier, HC had similarly detained another vessel, MSC MANASA F, in connection with petitions filed by various companies to recover compensation for consignment losses arising from the sinking of ELSA 3. In the present petition, the petitioner submitted that it had lost two consignments of Ghana dried raw cashew nuts (in shell) shipped from Tema port, Ghana, to Tuticorin port, India. T by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo he cargo was transhipped via Adani Vizhinjam Port and loaded onto ELSA 3, which later sank due to technical and operational failures, as confirmed by the mercantile marine department (MMD) and directorate general of shipping. The petitioner contended that they are entitled to recover the maritime claim under the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017, amounting to Rs 73.49 lakh. Meanwhile, the counsel for the vessel owner submitted that they had filed caveats before HC to prevent the arrest of vessels operated by the company within Indian territorial waters. It was also contended that the vessel is beyond 14 nautical miles from the Vizhinjam port and hence not available within the jurisdiction of this court. Nevertheless, HC ordered the conditional arrest of MSC Polo II until the production of the demand draft. Later in the afternoon, the shipping company produced the demand draft before the registrar. The petition has been adjourned to June 23.
