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Probe says systems failure led to MSC ELSA 3 sinking near Kerala Coast Kochi:A preliminary investigation into the sinking of container vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast last year has revealed a series of failures by the ship's management and shore-based support systems, with investigators concluding that poor maintenance, defective equipment, inadequate training and weak safety oversight contributed to the disaster. The findings are contained in an interim report submitted to the Kerala High Court by the central government on behalf of the Directorate General of Shipping while opposing the crew's plea to return to their home countries. The Court on Tuesday permitted three crew members of the vessel-- the electro-technical engineer, a seaman and a motorman -- to return to their home countries. The Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA 3, built in 1997, sank on May 25, 2025, around 38 nautical miles off the Kerala coast between Vizhinjam and Kochi. The vessel was carrying 643 containers, including 13 loaded with hazardous materials, and its sinking triggered environmental concerns along the coasts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. According to the report, the vessel first experienced difficult…

Kerala High Court directs MSC to deposit Rs 1,200 crore as compensation Published Sep 25, 2025 | 6:07 PM⚊Updated Sep 25, 2025 | 6:07 PM Liberia-flagged MSC ELSA-3 sank off the Kerala coast on 25 May. Synopsis:The MSC Elsa-3, a Liberian-flagged cargo ship operating on the Tuticorin–Vizhinjam–Kochi–Mangalore route, capsized on 24 May about 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast with 643 containers on board. Despite efforts to salvage the vessel, it sank completely, releasing oil, chemicals, and plastic debris into the sea, damaging the marine ecosystem. The Kerala High Court has directed Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to deposit ₹1,200.62 crore as compensation for the environmental and economic losses caused by the sinking of the cargo ship MSC Elsa-3 in the Arabian Sea. Justice MA Abdul Hakeem passed the order in an admiralty suit filed by the state government, which had sought ₹19,531 crore, citing widespread oil spillage, chemical leakage, and livelihood loss of fishermen. The court said the arrested vessel MSCAkitete-II will be released once the compensation is deposited. The MSC Elsa-3, a Liberian-flagged cargo ship operating on the Tuticorin–Vizhinjam–Kochi–Mangalor…

MSC Elsa 3 Crew Seek Release After Detention in India Credit: Indian Ministry of Defence Seven crewmembers of the sunken containership  MSC Elsa 3  have petitioned the Kerala High Court for permission to leave India after remaining in the country for almost 11 months following the casualty off Kerala. The Liberia-flagged  MSC Elsa 3  capsized and sank about 14.6 nautical miles off the Kerala coast on May 25, 2025, while sailing from Vizhinjam to Kochi. All 24 crewmembers were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard. According to court filings, India’s Mercantile Marine Department instructed the crew not to leave Kochi without written permission after the casualty, while their passports were reportedly seized during the investigation. The petition was submitted by the vessel’s captain along with six others seafarers, including the chief officer, chief engineer and second engineer.  The crewmembers are from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines. The group argues that they have fully cooperated with investigators and that, apart from the master, no criminal charges have been filed against them. The crewmembers noted that 15 colleagues were allowed to leave India in August 2025, but…

Sinking of MSC Elsa 3: Kerala HC seeks report on probe Judicial First Class Magistrate, Thoppumpady, directed to submit a report regarding the proceedings against the crew members

Kerala HC likely to ease custody-like stay of MSC Elsa 3 crew in india ... News Desk Last Updated: 08 Jun 2026, 12:26 pm IST Share The court indicated that it was inclined to allow five of the seven crew members to leave India. MSC Elsa 3 ship The Kerala High Court on Monday heard a petition filed by seven foreign crew members of the sunken vessel MSC Elsa 3 . The crew have sought the return of their passports and permission to leave India. The crew members have sought the return of their passports and permission to leave India. The petitioners have stated before the court that they have remained in Kochi for an extended period while cooperating with investigations connected to the sinking of the vessel. Court raises fair trial concerns and liberty issues Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that the continued presence of the crew members in India was impacting fair trial considerations. The court noted that such procedural issues must not interfere with the broader requirements of justice. The judge stated that the core issue before the court relates to personal liberty and the right to life. He indicated that any requirement for the crew’s presence could be managed through suita…

Foreign Crew of MSC ELSA-3 Appeal to Kerala HC for Return to Home Last updated: May 24, 2026 7:17 pm By thelawmonitor By thelawmonitor Follow: Share 4 Min Read Foreign Crew of MSC ELSA-3 Appeal to Kerala HC for Return to Home SHARE Foreign Crew Members of Sunken Ship Seek Legal Intervention In a significant legal development, seven crew members from the ill-fated cargo vessel MSC ELSA-3 have petitioned the Kerala High Court to recover their passports and secure permission to return to their respective home countries. The petition, titled Ivanov Alexander & ors v Union of India & ors , represents individuals hailing from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines who have been marooned in India following the vessel’s sinking off the Kochi coast in May 2025. Contents Foreign Crew Members of Sunken Ship Seek Legal Intervention Incident and Legal Repercussions Alleged Illegal Detention Chronology of Events Legal and Administrative Hurdles Plea for Repatriation Constitutional Rights and Legal Representation Incident and Legal Repercussions The MSC ELSA-3, a Liberia-flagged cargo ship, was transporting diesel, bunker oil, calcium carbide, and plastic nurdles when it sank, leading to …

MSC Elsa 3 Sinkage: Kerala High Court Seeks Report On Delay In ... Pranav B Prem TheKerala High Courton Monday (June 8) sought a report from the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I, Thoppumpady, regarding the delay in commencing the formal investigation into the sinking of the vessel MSC Elsa 3, while considering a plea filed by seven crew members seeking permission to leave India and return to their respective countries. The Court also sought details regarding the progress of the investigation and the timeline within which it could be completed. Also Read: Section 16(4) Cannot Be Invoked To Deny ITC If Taxpayer Qualifies For Relief Under Section 16(5): Kerala High Court Justice Bechu Kurian Thomaspassed the interim order in a writ petition filed by seven crew members of MSC Elsa 3, who have remained in India since the vessel sank off the Kerala coast on May 25, 2025. The petitioners sought release of their passports and permission to return to their countries of residence pending completion of the proceedings arising from the maritime casualty. When the matter was taken up, the Additional Solicitor General appearing for the Union authorities informed the Court that an app…

Ship-sinking incident: Kerala HC asks MSC to pay Rs 1,200 crore News Desk Last Updated: 25 Sept 2025, 11:13 am IST Share Kerala High Court orders MSC to pay Rs 1,262.6 crore for MSC Elsa 3 sinking. MSC Elsa 3 ship Kerala High Court on Thursday issued an interim order directing the shipping company MSC to pay over Rs 1,200 crore in connection with the ship-sinking incident . The court directed the shipping company to pay Rs 1,262.6 crore in compensation for environmental damage caused by the sinking of the MSC LS-3 ship. The order was issued by Justice MA Abdul Hakim in an admiralty suit filed by the state government . The compensation takes into account the environmental and economic losses caused by the oil spill from the sunken ship and chemicals released from containers into the sea. The state government had argued for a much higher compensation of Rs 9,531 crore. Company challenges quantum and jurisdiction However, the shipping company contended that the amount sought by the government was unrealistic. It also argued that the Kerala government had no authority to file an admiralty suit, as the accident occurred 14.5 nautical miles off the state’s maritime boundary. Following t…

'MSC Elsa 3' shipwreck probe: Shocking new details emerge in DG ... © Copyright 2026 The Week Online. All rights reserved. The initial probe report by DG Shipping into the 'MSC Elsa 3' has revealed some major flaws with not just the ship, but also the organisation that certified it Ashwin Somanath Updated- June 13, 2026 12:50 AM IST 3 minuteRead Link Copied DGS probe reveals Bureau Veritas ignored severe flaws with the ship 'MSC Elsa 3' sank off Kerala coast due to heeling system breakdown Report questions how authorities allowed heavily listing ship to sail without intervention More than a year after the sinking of theMSC Elsa 3(IMO: 9123221) off the coast of Kerala, a probe by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has revealed some major flaws with not just the ship, but also the organisation that certified it. Back in May 2025, the Liberian-flagged ship sank about 14.6 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala after severely listing (tilting to one side due to the entry of water inside the vessel). According to a detailed probe by DG Shipping, recently submitted to the Kerala High Court, the vessel carried a Safety Management Certificate issued by Bureau Veritas, a …