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Centre seeks environmental impact assessment on MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck
Centre seeks environmental impact assessment on MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck

The Hindu

time21 hours ago

  • Politics
  • The Hindu

Centre seeks environmental impact assessment on MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck

The Centre has requested the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Tamil Nadu, to undertake a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the sinking of the container ship MSC Elsa 3 off the Alappuzha coast on May 25. The Centre's decision was conveyed by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in the Lok Sabha on Monday (July 21, 2025). He was replying to a question raised by Hibi Eden, MP, on whether the government had conducted or initiated a detailed EIA into the back-to-back ship accidents off the Kerala coast, including the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 and the explosion on the Singapore-flagged vessel Wan Hai 503 off the Beypore coast on June 9. 'The EIA on the MSC Elsa 3 incident will be carried out in coordination with the State government. A total of 66 containers had washed ashore and have since been recovered by the agency appointed by the owners of MSC Elsa 3. None of the containers contained hazardous cargo, and no damage or hazard has been reported. Around 540 metric tonnes of plastic nurdles have been collected from the Kerala coast and the southern coast of Tamil Nadu,' Mr. Singh said. In the case of Wan Hai 503, the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Directorate General of Shipping, and other authorities concerned took proactive measures to contain and mitigate any potential environmental risks, according to the Minister.

TN fishers urge state govt to seek compensation from MSC Elsa 3 after cargo spill from sunken vessel
TN fishers urge state govt to seek compensation from MSC Elsa 3 after cargo spill from sunken vessel

New Indian Express

time5 days ago

  • Politics
  • New Indian Express

TN fishers urge state govt to seek compensation from MSC Elsa 3 after cargo spill from sunken vessel

KANNIYAKUMARI: Fishermen from the southern districts demanded that the state government take steps to obtain compensation from the company -- whose vessel MSC Elsa 3 sank off the Kerala coast on May 25 -- for the Tamil Nadu fishermen, who were affected by the cargo spill. The fishermen made the demand, citing the Kerala government's legal action against the company that resulted in its high court recently allowing the detention of the latter's ship -- MSC Akiteta II, anchored in the Vizhinjam Port in Thiruvananthapuram. Kurumpanai C Berlin, a fishermen activist and writer, told TNIE that the cargo spill affected fishermen from several TN districts, including Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram. "The cargo spill will affect the fishermen for years to come," he said, adding that the state should follow the actions taken by the Kerala government and get compensation for the affected fishermen. International Fishermen Development Trust (INFIDET) president P Justin Antony said that on the days following the sinking of the Liberian-flagged vessel, several containers, hauling hazardous cargo and plastic pellets, washed ashore, triggering panic among the public, especially fishermen. "The Kerala government moved its high court seeking a compensation of Rs 9,531 crore for the losses suffered, including the adverse effect on the livelihood of its fishermen," he said, urging the TN government to do the same.

Shipwrecks: Kerala high court admits former MP's plea seeking comprehensive compensation package
Shipwrecks: Kerala high court admits former MP's plea seeking comprehensive compensation package

Time of India

time15-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Time of India

Shipwrecks: Kerala high court admits former MP's plea seeking comprehensive compensation package

Kochi: High court on Tuesday admitted the petitions filed by former MP T N Prathapan and others, who have sought a comprehensive compensation package for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the recent shipwrecks off the Kerala coast and adjourned the matter to Sept 8. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji adjourned the matter following a submission by advocate general K Gopalakrishna Kurup that an admiralty suit has been filed to recover maritime claims amounting to Rs 9,531 crore for the environmental and economic damage caused by the sinking of the cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 on May 25. The copies of the suit and the order of interim arrest issued by the single bench on July 7 have been produced. MSC Akiteta II, the sister vessel of MSC Elsa 3, has been arrested on the order of the single bench. The division bench then noted that the issue of monetary claims against the shipping company, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), is currently being considered by the single bench in the admiralty suit. The petitioners contended that aside from the monetary claim, there are other issues relating to the duties and responsibilities of the state authorities, pollution control board and director general of shipping, which still need judicial consideration. The division bench granted liberty to the petitioners to approach court with an application if any such urgent intervention is required. Meanwhile, MSC clarified that the removal of the wrecks, a relief sought by the petitioners, is planned for Aug as the current weather conditions do not permit deep-sea operations.

Sinking of MSC Elsa 3: Kerala HC admits PILs seeking compensation
Sinking of MSC Elsa 3: Kerala HC admits PILs seeking compensation

The Hindu

time15-07-2025

  • Politics
  • The Hindu

Sinking of MSC Elsa 3: Kerala HC admits PILs seeking compensation

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has admitted public interest litigations (PILs) that were filed seeking compensation for fishers and others affected by the sinking of MSC Elsa 3, a Liberia-flagged container vessel that was carrying hazardous and other cargo, off the Alappuzha coast on May 25. The Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji posted the case for hearing in September, considering that a Single Bench is hearing an Admiralty suit filed by the State government seeking ₹9,351 crore as compensation for marine and coastal pollution, loss of fishers' livelihood and the 'remediation' measures following to the ship's sinking. However, the petitioners can approach the Division Bench in instances where directions to the government, the Director General of Shipping or to the Pollution Control Board are needed, the court said. The PILs had been filed by T.N. Pratapan, former MP and chairperson of the Kerala Fishermen Coordination Committee, among others. Another PIL was filed by Charles George, social activist and president of Kerala Fish Workers Coordination Committee and of Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Union, seeking $134 million as environmental security deposit following sinking of the vessel. The counsel for MSC, which operated the vessel, said that the inclement weather has affected efforts to salvage goods and oil from the sunk vessel.

Plastic pellets, untreated sewage pose threat at Papanasam beach in Varkala
Plastic pellets, untreated sewage pose threat at Papanasam beach in Varkala

New Indian Express

time13-07-2025

  • General
  • New Indian Express

Plastic pellets, untreated sewage pose threat at Papanasam beach in Varkala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the annual 'Vavu Bali' ritual just days away, pollution at the Papanasam beach in Varkala has sparked serious concern among devotees and the Janardhana Swamy Temple authorities. Nurdles (tiny plastic pellets) from the MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck and unchecked sewage discharge from nearby hotels and resorts continue to pollute the beach, posing a health hazard and creating severe inconvenience for tourists and pilgrims. The temple authorities, who oversee the ritual arrangements, have expressed their worry over the unhygienic conditions of the beach. 'The stench from the polluted water and the plastic nurdles washing ashore have made it difficult for devotees arriving to offer bali,' said a temple official. 'We hope the authorities will act swiftly to clean up the area before the Vavu Bali on July 24,' the official added. Local residents say that none of the authorities, including the Dewaswom Board, Varkala municipality, and district administration, are taking up the responsibility to address the pollution issues at the beach frequented by thousands every day. Hospital ward councillor K Anil Kumar echoed the concerns, stating that the beach is in no condition to host a major spiritual event. 'The restaurants and resorts on the cliff continue to discharge raw sewage directly into the water. No serious cleanup was undertaken last year either, despite the large turnout of devotees. The dispute between departments on who is responsible for cleaning up the beach every year has worsened the situation,' he said. Meanwhile, Papanasam ward councillor P Ajayakumar maintained that daily cleaning efforts are underway. 'Fire department personnel and volunteers have been consistently removing plastic nurdles from the shore. We will intensify the cleanup and make all necessary arrangements to ensure that the ritual is conducted smoothly,' he said.

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