Shipping Giant MSC Faces Criminal Charges After Ship Sinks Off Indian Coast

The Kerala Police have registered a criminal case against the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world’s leading shipping firms, in connection with the sinking of its Liberia-flagged vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the coast of Kerala.

The case was filed on June 11 at the Fort Kochi coastal police station against the ship’s owner, master, and crew members. It was based on a complaint filed by C Shamji, a resident of Neerkkunnam Matsya Gramam, a fishing village in Alappuzha district.

The ship had departed from Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram and was on its way to Kochi when it capsized on May 25, 2025. The incident occurred about 14.6 nautical miles off the coast near Thottappilly, Alappuzha, after the vessel developed a severe list to the starboard side a day earlier.

The MSC ELSA 3 was an aging 28-year-old container ship flying the Liberian flag. At the time of the incident, it was carrying over 600 containers, including 13 containers with hazardous cargo.

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Among the dangerous materials on board was calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts strongly with water and emits flammable gases. The ship also carried large amounts of marine diesel fuel.

All 24 crew members on board were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard.

The First Information Report (FIR) includes serious allegations. It states that the ship’s master and crew knowingly navigated the vessel in a “very negligent manner” despite being aware of the presence of dangerous, flammable, and explosive substances onboard. Their recklessness not only led to the vessel sinking but also endangered lives, property, and the marine environment.

The case has been registered under several sections of the newly enforced Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These include Section 282 for rash navigation of vessels, 285 for creating dangerous obstructions in navigation channels, 286 for negligent handling of poisonous substances, 287 for careless conduct with flammable materials, 288 for mishandling explosives, and 3(5) for criminal acts carried out jointly with a common intention.

Officials have stated that the sunken cargo has led to the release of hazardous substances into coastal waters. This has caused environmental harm and has disrupted fishing operations, a key livelihood for local communities. Several containers that fell into the sea are also said to be blocking navigation routes used by other vessels.

The Kerala Coastal Police launched a criminal investigation on June 10 after receiving instructions from the Inspector General of Police. Authorities now plan to record statements from MSC representatives, the vessel’s captain, and other crew members.

Meanwhile, salvage operations are underway, and authorities have issued a 48-hour deadline to complete oil recovery efforts from the sunken vessel before the onset of monsoon weather, which could make the process more dangerous and difficult.

References: Indian Express, TOI

Source: Maritime Shipping News