Kerala HC expresses serious concerns over safety risks posed by Elsa 3 wreck

Kochi: High court on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the safety risks posed by the wreck of cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 off the Kerala coast in 2025.The bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar orally observed that the shipping authorities and the vessel’s owners appeared to have failed to provide reliable assurances regarding the condition of cargo containers lying on the seabed.

HC was considering a batch of PILs seeking compensation for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the vessel’s capsizing on May 25, 2025.Additional solicitor general P Sreekumar informed that officials, including those from the MoEFCC, directorate general of shipping and other central govt agencies concerned, proposed to convene a meeting to deliberate on the issues raised in the petitions. The ASG further stated that a comprehensive and positive action plan to address the threats posed by the wreck would be placed before HC within two weeks.

Accordingly, HC adjourned the petitions to July 14.During hearing, HC noted that 96 containers were scattered within a 1.5-mile radius of the wreck, while another 475 containers remained inside the vessel. It specifically highlighted concerns regarding a container carrying calcium carbide that was located outside the wreck and secured only by cargo straps. Referring to reports indicating that several containers were loose and that no reliable assurance had yet been provided regarding their condition, HC orally observed that strong monsoon waves could potentially dislodge the containers and carry them ashore.

HC further reiterated the necessity of conducting a deep-sea inspection to ensure the safety of the containers lying on the seabed and observed that the responsibility for undertaking such an exercise ultimately rested with the central govt.