The legal woes for the MSC were continuing in India, with the Kerala High Court continuing to side with plaintiffs and attach MSC vessels as collateral for the growing number of claims. Twice this week, the court has ordered 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 pending a bond. Earlier in the week, four Indian fishermen simultaneously filed claims with the High Court at the beginning of the week 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. 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.
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FEDERAL YAMASKA
The 'Federal Yamaska' ran aground on the t. Lawrence River, enroute from Trois Rivières to Montreal on Aug 12, 2025, and remained stuck in pos. 45° 48' N 073° 19' W following a complete loss of engine near Verchères, Quebec. The vessel, which was carrying a cargo of sugar, remained partially within the main shipping channel. However, the Canadian Coast Guard confirmed that other ships were able to navigate safely around the grounded bulk carrier. Despite tug assistance the ship remained stuck as of Aug 15.
PORT OLYA-4
On Aug 14, the Ukraine launched a long-range drone attack on the port of Olya and sank the 'Port Olya 4'. Ukraine's General Staff claim that the ship was loaded with Shahed-type drone components and ammunition from Iran. Olya Port is a key logistic hub for Iranian military supplies to Russia.
EXPRESS 5
The 'Express 5' suffered engine problems on Aug 13, which have not yet been resolved as of Aug 15, and therefore the ferry was also sailing slower than usual, because only three of four engines were in operation. The 'Express 5' has been inspected by experts from the engine manufacturer Wärtsila, and replacement of the damaged pump was underway. It has also been decided to carry out an engine cleaning inside, which will be completed during the course of the day. Therefore, the 'Express 5' was expected to be back on four engines on the morning of Aug 16.
SOLONG
On Aug 12 the 'Solong' was towed to breakers in Ghent by the tug ' Multratug 36' wirh the 'Multratug 35' as steering tug. The ship had been sold to breakers after unloading the gutted container cargo in Aberdeen. Report with photo: https://www.omroepzeeland.nl/nieuws/17698907/rampschip-door-sluizen-van-terneuzen-gesleept?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMNAqhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHq3S0trv3qkpQeJ51YFkLTTJiSBEd30j9dNC3ttvTN6HWQ7tTvt3lXy6aHu2_aem_5am71imXholWxjNj_PbgPw