Summary Points, July 8 -- The Kerala government on Monday filed a major admiralty suit before the High Court, seeking Rs.9,531 crore in compensation from the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) for the extensive environmental damage and economic losses caused by the sinking of the MSC ELSA 3 cargo vessel off the coast of Kochi on May 25.

In its petition, the state government claimed:

The compensation was calculated based on guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The state, represented by Advocate General K Gopalakrishna Kurup, urged the High Court to detain the MSC Akiteta 2-a sister ship of MSC ELSA 3-currently docked at the Vizhinjam International Seaport. The government argued that both vessels are managed...