Liberia-Flagged Container Vessel Sinks Off Kerala Coast, Oil Spill Response Underway
New Delhi: In the early hours of May 25, 2025, a major maritime incident occurred when the Liberia-flagged container vessel MV MSC ELSA 3 sank approximately 15 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala, southwest of Alappuzha. The vessel’s submersion has raised significant environmental concerns, including the potential impact of an oil spill and the drifting of debris and cargo ashore along Kerala’s coastline.
Following the incident, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) swiftly responded to the emergency. Within 2-3 hours of the vessel’s sinking, ICG surveillance aircraft detected an oil slick at the site. ICG Ship Saksham, which was on standby in Pollution Response configuration, was immediately deployed to initiate counter-pollution operations. An ICG Dornier aircraft was also launched to conduct aerial assessments and disperse Oil Spill Dispersant (OSD) across a wide area.
As of 1100 hrs, the oil slick was observed drifting in an east-southeast direction at an estimated speed of 1.5-2 knots. Despite challenging weather conditions, including sea states 4-5 and strong winds, ICG personnel have continued operations with professionalism and resilience. The spill was assessed to have spread over an area of approximately 2×1 nautical miles by 1400 hrs, with over 100 containers observed floating near the site.
The ICG has mobilized multiple assets, including Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and specialized Pollution Response Vessels, to ensure intensive surveillance and spill mitigation. A coordination meeting was convened by the Directorate General of Shipping, bringing together key stakeholders to implement an integrated response strategy. Ship managers M/s MSC have appointed M/s T&T Salvage for cleanup and recovery operations.
The ICG has advised the state administration to prepare for shoreline cleanup operations and to caution local communities against handling any debris or cargo that may wash ashore.
