On World Environment Day, the Kerala High Court directs the State government to disclose cargo and oil spill details from the MSC Elsa sinking, ensuring transparency and environmental accountability.

Kerala High Court’s Directive on MSC Elsa Oil Spill Case

On June 5, 2025, the Kerala High Court issued a significant directive mandating the State government to publicly disclose all information related to the hazardous cargo and oil spill caused by the sinking of the Liberian cargo ship MSC Elsa-3 off the Alappuzha coast. This decision came amid growing concerns about marine pollution and the impact on local fishing communities.

Background: MSC Elsa Sinking and Environmental Concerns

On May 24, 2025, the MSC Elsa-3 sank approximately 25 km southwest of Alappuzha while en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi. The vessel was carrying diesel, bunker oil, calcium carbide, and plastic nurdles — substances known to be harmful to marine life and coastal ecosystems.

The spill sparked widespread environmental worries, particularly for the coastal districts of Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram. The incident also led to a fishing ban covering 20 nautical miles, significantly affecting traditional fishermen.

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by TN Prathapan

Congress leader and former Member of Parliament TN Prathapan filed a PIL demanding transparency, environmental remediation, and compensation for those affected. The petition pointed out that despite the 2016 Oil Spill Contingency Plan by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, preventive measures were not adequately implemented.

Prathapan, also Chairman of the Kerala Fishermen Coordination Committee, emphasized the need for a high-level expert committee to assess the environmental damage and propose restoration and compensation.

Court’s Response and State Government’s Role

The Kerala High Court Bench, led by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji, directed the State to make all relevant data about hazardous cargo and the oil spill publicly accessible, highlighting the significance of transparency on World Environment Day.

The Government Attorney assured the Court that an expert committee has been formed and remedial measures are underway. However, the Court emphasized timely disclosure of information and ordered both Central and State governments to submit detailed action reports within two weeks.

Impact on Marine Ecology and Local Communities

The spill has raised alarms about long-term damage to marine ecology and the livelihoods of fishing communities. The Court’s directive aims to promote accountability and ensure effective environmental protection and rehabilitation efforts in Kerala’s coastal regions.

What’s Next in the MSC Elsa Case?

The Kerala High Court will review the progress of environmental remediation and government action after the submission of reports. The case highlights the importance of enforcing maritime pollution laws and protecting vulnerable ecosystems from hazardous cargo incidents.