Container Vessel MSC ELSA 3 Capsizes Off Kochi Coast; Oil Spill Threat Prompts Emergency Response
A Liberian-flagged container ship, MSC ELSA 3, which began tilting 38 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi on Saturday, has now fully capsized, sparking serious concerns about a potential oil spill and chemical contamination in the Arabian Sea.
Authorities confirmed Sunday that all 24 crew members were successfully rescued in a joint effort by the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy.
Hazardous Cargo and Environmental Risk
The ship, carrying 640 containers, included 13 with hazardous materials and 12 containing calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts dangerously with water.
According to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the vessel was also loaded with 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, both of which now pose a significant environmental threat if leaked.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued a public safety alert, urging residents to avoid any objects that may wash ashore.
“Maintain a minimum distance of 200 metres from any debris or containers that may drift to the coastline,” warned Shekhar Kuriakose, Member Secretary of the KSDMA.
Cause of the Sinking
The vessel capsized in the early hours of Sunday following severe flooding in one of its cargo holds, as reported by the Coast Guard. Initially, the ship had tilted up to 26 degrees but appeared to stabilize temporarily by Saturday night.
However, worsening conditions led to rapid submersion by Sunday morning.
The rescue operation, executed in two phases, saw 21 crew members rescued on Saturday and the remaining three, including the captain and chief engineer, retrieved Sunday by INS Sujata, which had been standing by near the vessel.
Containment and Pollution Control Efforts
The Coast Guard has launched a comprehensive pollution response operation, deploying the vessel ICGS Saksham and a Dornier surveillance aircraft equipped in Pollution Response (PR) configuration.
This setup uses advanced technology, such as the co-polarisation ratio method, to assess the oil-to-water ratio in any potential spillage — essential for coordinating an effective cleanup.
Additionally, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has activated its Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) to track drifting containers and debris.
Simultaneously, oil spill trajectory models are being run to predict the possible spread of any oil discharge.
INCOIS simulations have warned that oil pollutants could reach coastal areas such as Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Arattupuzha, and Karunagappally within 36 to 48 hours of a leak.
These zones are now at high risk of contamination, prompting authorities to prioritize monitoring and mitigation in these regions.
Ongoing Coordination and Public Advisory
A high-level review meeting, led by Kerala’s Chief Secretary, was convened on Sunday to assess the emerging situation.
The Navy and Coast Guard are working in close coordination with state authorities to manage the environmental and public safety risks.
According to Kuriakose, the containers from the sunken ship are expected to drift at an estimated speed of 1 km per hour, with the coastal districts of Ernakulam and Alappuzha being the most likely to witness containers washing ashore.
Meanwhile, after the vessel began tilting Saturday, the shipping company arranged for a second ship to assist, and three crew members had initially remained aboard the MSC ELSA 3 in a final effort to save it.
However, as the vessel continued to deteriorate, these remaining personnel were also safely evacuated.
The 21 rescued crew members are being brought to the Coast Guard jetty, while the captain and chief engineer, along with one more officer, are being transported to the Naval jetty in Kochi for debrief and further assistance.
