Parliament Question: Accountability and Compensation in MSC Elsa 3 Incident

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1070 ANSWERED ON 24.07.2026 ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPENSATION IN MSC ELSA 3 INCIDENT

1070. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: प(cid:419)न, पोत प(cid:464)रवहन और जलमाग (cid:91) म(cid:287)ं ी

(a) whether the Government has been informed of the furnishing of a Rs. 1,227 crore bank guarantee by the owners of the cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 before the Kerala High Court, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to establish a clear, transparent and time- bound mechanism for collection of claims and immediate disbursal of compensation to affected fishermen and coastal families without delay, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government will ensure that the said bank guarantee is not treated as the ceiling of liability, particularly in view of the Kerala Government's admiralty suit seeking 9,531 crore in comprehensive damages, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor, and

(d) whether the Government is aware of the extent of environmental damage and economic losses suffered by fishing communities due to the said incident, if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard? ANSWER MINISTER FOR PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) to (d) Yes Sir. Admiralty Suit No. 12 of 2025 titled State of Kerala vs. MSC Akiteta II & Ors. has been filed before the Hon'ble High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam under the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017 seeking recovery of ₹9,531 crore towards alleged maritime environmental damage, pollution, preventive and remedial costs and economic losses arising from the incident involving MSC Elsa 3. The Hon'ble High Court, vide order dated 04.12.2025, permitted furnishing of security of ₹1,227.62 crore for release of the sister vessel MSC Akiteta II. The Government of Kerala has extended interim financial assistance of ₹1,000 peraffected fisherman along with free ration to affected fishing families. Further, the vessel owners and their Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurer, M/s North Standard, have established a Claims Desk for receipt, scrutiny and processing of claims from affected stakeholders, including fishermen and coastal communities. The matter is presently sub-judice before the Hon'ble High Court of Kerala.

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