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A major maritime pollution response operation is underway off the coast of Kerala after the Liberian-flagged container vessel MV MSC ELSA 3 sank in the Arabian Sea early Sunday morning. The vessel, carrying hazardous materials and fuel, went down roughly 15 nautical miles southwest of Alappuzha, prompting swift action from the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
All 24 crew members on board — citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines — were successfully rescued in a joint effort by the ICG and the Indian Navy. Twenty-one were airlifted by the Coast Guard, while three were pulled to safety by the Navy’s INS Sujata.
The cargo ship, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, began listing sharply to its starboard side on Saturday, eventually tilting 26 degrees. Despite initial containment efforts and a distress call, the vessel capsized completely by 7:50 a.m. Sunday, likely due to severe water ingress.
All 24 crew members ex Liberian-flagged container Vessel MSC ELSA 3 rescued safely, 21 by @IndiaCoastGuard & 03 by @indiannavy Ship Sujata after vessel sank off #Kochi this morning. Vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 containing hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium… pic.twitter.com/990qmogVJR
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) May 25, 2025
Pollution Concerns Mount
The sunken vessel was laden with 640 containers, including 13 carrying hazardous materials and 12 loaded with calcium carbide, along with approximately 84 metric tonnes of diesel and over 367 metric tonnes of furnace oil.
The combination of toxic chemicals and petroleum products has raised significant environmental concerns, particularly given the sensitive marine ecosystem in the region.
Within hours of the vessel’s sinking, aerial reconnaissance by an ICG Dornier aircraft confirmed the presence of an oil slick drifting east-southeast at a speed of nearly 2 knots. The Coast Guard immediately activated its pollution response protocols, deploying ICG Ship Saksham, already configured for such operations, and multiple surveillance sorties to assess the spread.
Operation in Full Swing
Rough seas and strong winds have complicated containment efforts, as floating containers — some ruptured and leaking — pose navigational hazards. Mariners in the area have been advised to avoid the vicinity, and all passing vessels are being rerouted.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Coast Guard has stationed two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) on-site for continuous monitoring. Additionally, pollution response vessel Samudra Prahari has been mobilised with large stocks of oil spill dispersant (OSD) to support ongoing containment operations.
Legal And Cleanup Measures Initiated
In line with maritime law, the Mercantile Marine Department in Kochi has issued a pollution liability warning to the ship’s owners, M/s MSC, under provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The company has appointed T&T Salvage to oversee container recovery, oil removal, and environmental remediation efforts.
Cause Of Sinking Under Investigation
The exact cause of the incident remains unclear. A formal investigation is expected to be launched once immediate environmental risks are under control. Officials suspect structural failure or technical malfunction may have led to the vessel taking on water, ultimately resulting in its sinking.
As containment operations continue, environmental experts and maritime authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with the aim of minimizing damage to the fragile coastal ecosystem.
