The Kerala High Court has ordered the conditional arrest of the Liberia-flagged cargo ship MSC Manasa F, currently anchored at Vizhinjam Port, in connection with the sinking of its sister vessel, MSC Elsa-3, on May 24, 2025, off the Kerala coast.
The court was responding to five admiralty suits filed by importers who lost shipments, mainly raw cashew nuts, in the May incident. Justice MA Abdul Hakhim issued the arrest order, allowing seizure of the ship and all its components (hull, engine, tackle, furniture, etc.) until the owners, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, deposit the claimed amount or furnish adequate security.
The plaintiffs argued that the MSC Elsa-3 was unseaworthy due to negligence and improper stowage, and since MSC has no attachable assets in India, they invoked maritime law to detain MSC Manasa F.
The court clarified that the arrest is conditional and will be automatically vacated once compensation is secured. The next hearing is set for June 16, with respondents expected to submit written statements by June 15.
