Another MSC Mega Containership Seized by India!
Publish Time: 2025-08-15 Origin: Site
Recently, an Indian court ordered the seizure of the MSC Palermo to secure claims related to the MSC Elsa 3 incident.
The MSC Palermo (IMO 9964223, MMSI 636024134) is a 366-meter-long, 51-meter-wide vessel with a capacity of 15,576 TEU. Built by Hyundai HI's Samho Shipyard and delivered in August 2024, this Liberia-flagged containership is currently en route to Sines, Portugal, with a scheduled arrival on September 4.
The MSC Palermo is deployed on MSC’s Himalaya Express service and is currently berthed at Vizhinjam Port.
Key Details of the Case:
Petitioners' Claim: Their fishing boats were damaged by the wreckage of MSC Elsa 3.
Court Order: The MSC Palermo will remain detained until a ₹26 million (≈$312,000) security deposit is paid.
MSC Elsa 3 Incident: The vessel sank while sailing from Vizhinjam to Kochi, carrying 640 containers, including 13 hazardous cargo units (as reported by the Indian Coast Guard).
Recent Related Seizures:
July 2025: The High Court ordered the seizure of MSC Akiteta II.
June 18, 2025: MSC Polo II was detained following a lawsuit by Sans Cashew India Private Limited, which claimed ₹7.4 million in cargo losses due to the MSC Elsa 3 sinking.
Four days later, the court also ordered the seizure of MSC Manasa F, operated by MSC, after five other cargo owners filed petitions over lost goods in the same incident.
Government Declaration:
On May 29, 2025, the Kerala state government declared the wreck of MSC Elsa 3 a "state-specific disaster."
Chief Secretary of the State Disaster Management Authority, Tinku Biswal, stated that the sinking posed environmental, social, and economic threats to Kerala’s coastline.