Ship accident: Govt forms three expert committees to hold discussions with MSC

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has formed three expert committees to hold discussions with the shipowners MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company), in connection with the shipwreck that occurred off the Kochi coast. These committees are chaired by the Special Secretary of the Environment Department, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, and the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.

The Special Secretary of the Environment Department has been designated as the Principal Impact Assessment Officer and will serve as the nodal officer for discussions with the shipping company. The committee, chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, will handle matters including compensation. Another committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, will study the pollution caused by the incident. The committee under the Finance Department’s Additional Chief Secretary will have seven members, while the one under the Science and Technology Secretary will include eight members.

The Kerala government has declared the Kochi offshore shipwreck a state disaster and announced that legal action will be taken to seek compensation. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of the shipwreck are being assessed. Following the disaster declaration, the Revenue Secretary has issued an order, enabling further action to be taken under the Disaster Management Act.