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Time of India
16 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
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Loss of fish due to shipwrecks is economic loss: Kerala HC
Kochi: High court has observed that the loss of commercially harvested fish due to marine pollution caused by the recent shipwrecks in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) qualifies as an economic loss. The observation was made while considering a petition by former MP T N Prathapan, who sought a comprehensive compensation package for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the ship accidents off the Kerala coast. The court emphasised that the EEZ — extending up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline — falls under the sovereign rights of the Union for exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of both living and non-living natural resources. The Union also holds exclusive jurisdiction to protect the marine environment and prevent marine pollution within this zone. Therefore, losses sustained in the EEZ must be considered for compensation, the court noted. The court is examining two recent maritime incidents: the sinking of MSC ELSA-3, a Liberian-flagged cargo vessel, on May 25 off the Kerala coast, and the fire aboard cargo ship WAN HAI 503, off the Kannur coast on June 9. 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 As per the HC's directive, the cargo manifest of MSC ELSA-3 has been published on the official website of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA). According to the owners, MV WAN HAI 503 was carrying 1,754 containers, many of which contained flammable liquids, solids, corrosive chemicals, pesticides and other environmentally hazardous substances such as printing ink and thinning agents. HC noted that such materials pose a serious threat to marine ecology. Citing various statutory provisions, including the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017, the court noted that the govt is empowered to initiate both civil and criminal proceedings against the vessel and its owners to recover damages. The court also appointed Adv Arjun Sreedhar as amicus curiae in the case. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
India Today
13-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Act now or this becomes habit: Kerala High Court to Centre, State on ship mishaps
The Kerala High Court came down heavily on Centre and state government in the wake of two ship accidents off the Kerala coast, directing them to take immediate and strict action to prevent such incidents from becoming a recurring court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by former MP TN Prathapan, seeking compensation for those affected by the sinking of MSC Elsa 3, a Liberia-flagged vessel that went down off the Kerala coast on May 25 while carrying hazardous a more recent incident, a Singapore-flagged container ship, Wan Hai 503, caught fire off the Beypore coast on June 9, with flames raging till Friday, June 13, morning. Observing that inaction would normalise such accidents, the court said governments must examine existing laws and international agreements before taking directed that losses must be recovered from the shipping company and not be compensated using public funds. The court also stressed the need to investigate environmental damage caused by the High Court asked both governments to submit details of the measures taken so far and said it would appoint an amicus curiae to assist the court in the the state government said that the accident occurred in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and hence the Centre must take responsibility under the Merchant Shipping Act, the court noted that action can also be taken under the Admiralty Act, allowing the ship to be arrested. The district collector can also invoke provisions under this Act, the court High Court further sought to know whether the National Investigation Agency (NIA) could take up the matter. According to the petitioner, the NIA can step in if a complaint is filed by the district collector or through a private suit in a magistrate court citing environmental law court also directed the petitioner to amend the PIL to include both recent ship accidents in the case. IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Ship capsize: Plea seeks rehab package
Kochi: A PIL has been filed in HC by former MP T N Prathapan seeking a comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation package for the fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the capsize of the Liberian-flagged vessel MSC ELSA-3 off the Kerala coast. A bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji will consider the petition on Thursday. The petitioner alleged that the incident led to an oil spill and the discharge of toxic substances, including calcium carbide and nurdles, causing severe damage to the marine ecosystem and traditional fishing communities. The petition contends that the Kerala state pollution control board has a statutory duty to prepare and implement an effective oil spill disaster contingency plan. It further seeks a directive to the central and state govts to constitute a high-level expert committee to assess the environmental damage, recommend restoration measures, and initiate legal action against the shipowner and insurer under relevant international conventions and national laws.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sinking of cargo ship off Kochi coast: Fishermen warn of legal action over ‘inadequate' compensation
Kochi: The Kerala state fishermen coordination committee has said that legal action will be taken against the govt if compensation as per law is not ensured for fishermen and related workers in the four districts affected by the sinking of the container ship MSC ELSA 3 off the coast of Kochi on May 24. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The aid announced by the govt for fishermen affected is inadequate, said TN Prathapan, ex-MP and chairman of the committee. The livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of fishermen in the districts of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kollam were disrupted. Along with the monsoon damage, the shipwreck dealt a severe blow to the fishing families. News of calcium carbide, oil, plastic particles, and cotton-like materials spreading in the sea significantly reduced fish consumption, which also severely impacted related workers. Prathapan said that they wrote to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chairman of National Green Tribunal, the central environment secretary, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and the director general of shipping, demanding that rightful compensation be secured for the fishermen as per international shipping insurance laws. Meanwhile, the CITU wing of Matsya Thozhilali Federation has sought that the central govt announce a special package for fishermen in the wake of the damages caused to the fisheries sector because of the sinking of the ship.
