The container ship MSC Elsa 3 sank off the coast of Kerala on May 25, 2025, causing significant ecological disruption. Recent news includes a scientific report confirming the ecological damage to the marine ecosystem, a legal update from the Kerala High Court reducing the security amount for the ship’s owners, and an ongoing survey to monitor the shipwreck and its ongoing environmental threat. The sinking was attributed to a severe list caused by issues like improper container loading, and the ship was carrying hazardous cargo, including calcium carbide.
Incident and environmental impact
Sinking: The ship, operated by MSC, developed a severe list on May 24 and sank off the coast of Kerala on May 25, 2025.
Environmental damage: A scientific study by the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) found the sinking caused significant disruption to the marine environment, affecting water quality, plankton, benthos, and higher marine life.
Hazardous cargo: The vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials like calcium carbide, which reacts violently with water. Five containers of calcium carbide are on the seabed, posing a risk.
Oil spill risk: The ship contained hundreds of tonnes of heavy fuel oil and diesel, with recent reports indicating continued minor seepage from the wreck, highlighting the ongoing threat of oil pollution.
Legal and official response
Disaster declaration: The Kerala government declared the shipwreck a state-specific disaster due to concerns about oil spills and drifting hazardous debris.
Court case: The Kerala High Court reduced the security amount for the ship’s owners from over ₹9,531 crore to ₹1,227.62 crore in an admiralty suit filed by the State government.
Legal action: The owners have filed an admiralty suit to limit their liability for compensation claims related to the incident.
Ongoing operations and surveys
Salvage and cleanup: Onshore efforts continue to clean up plastic pellets and other debris from the coast, with volunteers involved in the cleanup exercises.
Wreck investigation: An ongoing survey is investigating the site and the environmental impact. The CMLRE study underscored the need to seal the wreck’s fuel compartments and continue long-term monitoring.
Subsea work: Divers are performing ongoing work, but are hampered by limited dive times, which can delay major operations like oil removal from the wreck.
MSC Elsa 3//The container ship sank off the coast of Kerala on May 25, 2025,Kerala High Court reducing the security amount for the ship’s owners
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