Kerala Court Releases MSC Vessel After Rs 12.28bn Guarantee

12 Jan 2026 CW Team

The owner of container ship MSC Elsa 3, which sank off the Kerala coast in May 2025, has deposited a compensation amount of Rs 12.28 billion with the Kerala High Court in the form of a bank guarantee. Following the deposit, the court permitted the release of its sister vessel, MSC Akiteta-2.

The sister vessel, which had been detained off Vizhinjam under a court order dated November 11, has since sailed from the port. A Bench headed by Justice M. A. Abdul Hakhim posted the matter relating to compensation for further hearing on February 13.

In September, the High Court had reduced the security amount payable by the ship’s owners from Rs 95.31 billion to Rs 12.28 billion, modifying its earlier order of July 7. The original order had been passed in an admiralty suit filed by the Kerala government, pursuant to which MSC Akiteta-2 was detained at Vizhinjam.

The state government had sought compensation of Rs 95.31 billion, primarily citing marine and coastal pollution and losses suffered by fishing communities following the sinking of the vessel. Acting on the claim, the court had ordered the conditional arrest of the sister ship until the security amount was furnished.

In its earlier observations, the court held that the discharge of oil from the vessel into the sea had been established and that such discharge posed a serious risk of environmental pollution.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..