Kochi, 19 September 2025 – Fishworkers impacted by the MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck demand the Kerala government to urgently set up a robust, accessible claim process that will enable them to secure fair compensation for their losses. At a press conference in Kochi today, impacted fishworkers, union leaders from Kerala Swatanthra Malsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) and Greenpeace India emphasized that without state-led intervention, coastal families that are already devastated by the disaster are at a risk of being excluded from fair process to get compensation for their damage.
The demand comes alongside the launch of “Wrecked Futures: The Hidden Socio-Economic Burden of MSC ELSA 3 Disaster”, a report documenting the severe impact of the wreck on fishing communities, particularly in Pulluvila village, Thiruvananthapuram. Developed with the Karumkulam Gram Panchayat and Coastal Students Cultural Forum (CSCF), the Greenpeace India report highlights how lost incomes, damaged nets, and collapsing market confidence have left families struggling with debt and despair.
The report highlights that in a single fishing village where over 96% population relies on fishing directly or indirectly, the asset losses cross 50 lakh rupees. Women fish sellers who used to earn ₹3,000 daily were unable to sell their catch due to contamination fears. Fishing households in the village lost between ₹25,000–₹35,000 per month since the incident. This includes individuals ranging from small scale boat owners to fish sellers – of whom the majority are unable to produce evidence due to lack of support from the relevant authorities, which is a reality across the state. The report highlights that this has pushed families into deeper debts.
Jackson Pollayil, State President of Kerala Malsya Thozhilali Federation, said, “Most families are clueless about the claim process. Our only evidence is our tonnes of torn nets and damaged engines. The government must ensure people get help to prove their damages and recover lost livelihoods and support in the paperwork. A robust, state-led process is the only way to make compensation fair and accessible. Any settlement that bypasses communities or minimizes damages will be unjust.”
For many, the shipwreck has meant immediate and ongoing economic hardship. “For nearly two weeks after the shipwreck, I could not go to sea. I had no earnings and debts started piling up. Even now, repairing my nets and engine is beyond what I can afford,” said Faziluddeen, a fishworker from Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram. He had earlier filed a claim with the shipping company MSC via their nodal officers and assigned email id.
“ The state had already claimed in court a damage of 9532 Crores. However, to encourage individual claims and to ensure complete compensation of the losses and damages, the state should also equip local fisheries offices as well as local governments with a decentralised, transparent and inclusive claims process with special support to produce evidence.,” said Amruta S.N., Climate Campaigner at Greenpeace India.
Report Link :
https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-india-stateless/2025/09/0864d88b-gp-wrecked-futures-web-version.pdf
For media queries:
Amruta S.N., Campaigner at Greenpeace India – [email protected]
Nibedita Saha, Media Officer – [email protected]
