Were 500 tonnes of raw cashew lost in sunken ship Elisa 3?
Raw cashew importers are planning to seek compensation from MSC Shipping Lines for the reported loss of their cargo from the sunken vessel Elisa 3 off the Alappuzha coast on Sunday.
R.K. Bhoodes, Vice-Chairman of the Cashew Promotion Council of India, said there was no official intimation yet from the shipping lines on the status of the cargo loaded from Ghana. As per the contractual obligation, the raw cashew was to be delivered in Tuticorin on May 26. But the ship capsized en-route to Cochin Port; it was sailing on the Vizhinjam-Kochi-Tuticorin trade route.
Bhoodes said the shipping line has not said whether the cargo was lost in transit, and the trade presumes that the raw cashew consignment was in the sunken vessel. The cargo might have been unloaded from the mainline vessel at Vizhinjam Port and reloaded again in the feeder ship, before moving it to the next destination at Tuticorin. As the raw cashew season has started in African countries, more such consignments could be on their way, he said.
Cashew volume on-board
According to Bhoodes, initial estimates put the raw cashew volumes on board at around 500 tonnes, though an accurate figure could be ascertained only after getting information from the shipping lines. The value-wise loss was estimated at $1,900,000.
The consignment was shipped from Ghana in February and was to be delivered in 35 to 40 days. The delay in delivery, he said, would upset the processing schedules of many cashew factories in Tuticorin and Kerala, which would impact the business of many units, leading to shortage of raw materials.
Normally, all shipping lines tie up with a P&I Club to receive adequate compensation in case of a mishaps. But importers have no other option but to approach the carrier to seek compensation as their committed volumes were getting affected, he said, adding that the importers hoped that the lines would settle the claim for non-delivery amicably.
The raw cashew season has started in many African countries and there would be more shipments for processing factories in India. On average there would be around 200 containers in a vessel carrying raw cashew nuts, mostly from Ghana, he said.
Sources in the shipping fraternity said the vessel was also carrying raw cotton, electronic items, tea and newsprint.
Meanwhile, Charles George, convenor of the Kerala Fishermen Coordination Committee, has also sought compensation for fisher-folk in view of the ban on fishing activities in the area of the sunken vessel. With the onset of the monsoon, he said the area, particularly off the Kollam coast, has an abundance of fish wealth, particularly sardines.
Published on May 28, 2025
