Container Ship MSC Elsa 3 Sinks Off Kerala Coast: Raising Environmental Alarm
May 26, 2025 — Kochi, India
A major maritime and environmental emergency is unfolding off the southwest coast of India after the Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC Elsa 3 sank early Sunday morning, roughly 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi. The 184-meter-long ship, which was en route from Vizhinjam to the Port of Cochin, began listing sharply on Saturday before ultimately capsizing, prompting widespread concern about the ecological consequences for Kerala’s coastal areas.
According to Indian maritime authorities, the 28-year-old ship began tilting dangerously—listing 26 degrees to starboard—early Saturday morning. The crew issued a distress signal at 08:00 UTC. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard responded swiftly, launching a coordinated rescue operation amid worsening sea conditions. All 24 crew members were successfully rescued—21 on Saturday, and the remaining three early Sunday, just hours before the vessel sank about 14.6 nautical miles offshore.
“The weather was rough, and there must have been some internal issues within the vessel,” said Captain Alexander Ivanov, the master of MSC Elsa 3. “We are grateful to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for their efforts and flawless communication during the rescue.”
However, the successful evacuation of the crew is only the beginning of what is shaping up to be a complex and potentially damaging environmental crisis.
Hazardous Cargo and Fuel Threat
The ship was carrying 640 containers, 13 of which contained hazardous materials—including calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts violently with water to produce acetylene gas and heat. At least 100 containers are believed to have fallen into the Arabian Sea, with 25 already confirmed to be drifting toward the Kerala coastline at an estimated speed of 3 kilometers per hour. Containers have begun washing ashore in coastal districts including Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram, although officials say the total number remains undetermined.
In addition to hazardous cargo, the vessel was loaded with more than 450 metric tonnes of marine fuels: 367.1 tonnes of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and 84.44 tonnes of diesel. While no significant oil slick has yet been reported, Indian Coast Guard vessels and aircraft have been deployed to monitor the area and deploy chemical dispersants under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan.
“We are treating this as a Tier II oil spill response scenario,” said a Coast Guard official involved in the operation. “Surveillance flights are ongoing, and containment strategies are being implemented as a precaution.”
Environmental and Coastal Impact
Marine biologists and environmental experts have warned of the potential impact on Kerala’s sensitive coastal ecosystems. The drifting containers, particularly those carrying reactive chemicals, pose a direct threat to marine life and fisheries. Any substantial fuel leak could also damage coral reefs, mangrove forests, and estuarine habitats critical to local biodiversity.
“Even small spills of diesel or VLSFO can have a lasting impact on the marine food chain, especially in tropical waters like those off Kerala,” said Dr. P.V. Nandakumar, a marine ecologist based in Kochi. “We’re already seeing community anxiety in fishing villages where livelihoods are tied to these waters.”
Local authorities have issued public advisories warning residents to stay clear of any containers or debris that wash ashore. Coastal police and disaster management teams have also been mobilized to secure affected areas and assist in the identification and recovery of cargo.
Vessel’s Troubled Past
MSC Elsa 3 was built in Germany in 1997 and has undergone multiple name changes and ownership transfers throughout its operational life. Previously known as Jan Richter, the ship has a checkered maritime record, including a collision near Yemen in 2016 and a pirate attack off the coast of Nigeria in 2021.
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the ship’s operator, has yet to issue a full statement regarding the incident, but international maritime authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the cause of the listing and eventual sinking. Preliminary theories suggest a combination of rough weather, cargo shift, and possible structural failure.
Navigation Warnings Issued
The Indian Directorate General of Shipping has issued navigation warnings to vessels operating in the region. Ships are being advised to avoid the last known position of the MSC Elsa 3 and to maintain extreme caution for floating containers and potential fuel slicks that could compromise navigation safety.
As cleanup operations begin and the full scale of the environmental impact unfolds, Kerala faces a race against time to prevent long-term damage to its marine environment and coastal economy. With monsoon season approaching, time is of the essence.
“This could turn into a much larger crisis if we don’t act swiftly and decisively,” warned Dr. Nandakumar. “What happens in the next 72 hours will determine the extent of the damage.”
