Court Halts a Ship on Cashew Importers' Request

13-Jun-2025 12:45 PM

Kochi. The Kerala High Court has directed the authorities at Vizhinjam Port to detain a ship named MSC Manafa F until its owner deposits an amount of Rs 6 crore, which has been claimed as compensation by several raw cashew nut importers who are members of the Cashew Export Promotion Complex. The claim arose after a ship named MSC Elsa 3, which was carrying a consignment of raw cashew nuts from abroad, sank at sea.

The court stated in its order that the ship MSC Manafa F, which belongs to the same shipping firm as the sunken vessel, may be allowed to leave Kerala’s territorial waters only if a demand draft of Rs 6 crore is deposited by the company.

The petitioners informed the court that the ship carrying their raw cashew cargo failed to reach the discharge port safely, violating the rules and conditions outlined in the Bill of Lading, and caused significant financial losses. The counsel representing the importers argued that although the shipping company had issued a notice of arrival for the cargo, it did not deliver the consignment nor took steps to protect the commercial interests of the importers.

A senior official of the Indian Cashew Export Promotion Council said the goods onboard the sunken vessel were completely destroyed. As per the contractual agreement, the consignment was supposed to reach Thoothukudi port by May 26. However, the ship was diverted to Cochin port, which altered the planned route. The raw cashew nuts, imported from African countries, ultimately did not reach the intended importers.