The Kerala High Court has directed the Vizhinjam Port authorities to detain MSC Manafa F, a sister vessel of sunken ship MSC Elsa 3, until it deposits ₹6 crore towards the claim raised by various raw cashew importers who are the members of the Cashew Export Promotion Council.

Justice Abdul Hakkim said if the shipping firm produces the demand draft of ₹6 crore, the vessel can set on sail from the territorial waters of the Kerala. Various importers have approached the Kerala High Court, claiming that the cargo has not been safely reached at the discharge Port as per the bill of lading terms.

Joy Thattil, counsel who for all the petitioners, argued that despite the cargo arrival notice being issued by the carrier, they have failed to deliver the consignment to the importers, and no steps were taken to protect the importers’ commercial interests.

Loss of cargo

R.K.Bhoodes, vice-chairman of Cashew Export Promotion Council of India, said they have sought compensation from MSC Shipping Lines for the reported loss of their cargo on the sunken vessel. As per the contractual obligation, the raw cashew was to be delivered in Thoothukudi on May 26. But the ship capsized enroute to Cochin Port while it was sailing from Vizhinjam Port.

The shipping line had not said whether the cargo was lost in transit and the trade presumes that the raw cashews consignment was in the sunken vessel.

Published on June 12, 2025