Msc-Makoto-Ii

The legal woes for the MSC were continuing in India, with the Kerala High Court continuing to side with plaintiffs and attach MSC vessels such as the 'MSC Palermo' and 'MSC Makoto II' as collateral for the growing number of claims after the sinking of the 'MSC Elsa 3'. Twice, the court has ordered the ships detained at the Vizhinjam Port pending a bond from MSC. On Aug 14, was the latest court hearing after six separate admiralty claims were filed. According to the court papers, the suits alleged that fishing nets, wire ropes, and other fishing material became entangled with debris from the 'MSC Elsa 3'. The court issued an interim order to detain the 'MSC Makoto II' at the port of Vizhinjam, pending a bond. Four Indian fishermen simultaneously had filed claims with the High Court for damages incurred to their fishing vessels. According to the individual claims filed with the court, the four individuals said their vessels had been damaged by debris floating below the surface after the 'MSC Elsa 3' went down. They also said that debris had become entangled in their fishing nets, causing severe damage. They also included claims for lost metal chains, ropes, and other fishing gear. The filings were timed to the call of the 'MSC Palermo' at Vizhinjam. They demanded the arrest of the vessel, until their claims could be heard by the court. The High Court found for the plaintiffs and ordered the detention of the vessel at the port on Aug 12. The company’s representatives were able to post a bond against the claims. The vessel was released and resumed its voyage on Aug 13. The 'MSC Makoto II' left Vizhinjam on Aug 16 en route to Haldia with an ETA as of Aug 20. These, however, were the fourth and fifth times that the court had detained an MSC vessel due to claims. In June, the 'MSC Polo II' was briefly detained for a claim by the Cashew Board, and four days later, the 'MSC Manasa F' was also detained. Both times, the company was able to post bonds for the release of the ships. The 'MSC Akiteta II' was detained in relation to the $1 billion claim filed by the state. MSC has not posted a bond to release the ship, which was originally detained on July 8. The ship remained at the Vizhinjam port as of Aug 16 with little prospect of being released in the short term.

21 - 30 days charter, trading Asia, PIL