MSC Container Ship: The 1,730 TEU container ship MSC Elsa 3, which was owned and operated by the multinational maritime conglomerate Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), capsized and sank early on Sunday, May 25, off the coast of Kochi, India, after allegedly experiencing hold flooding that caused a 26° starboard list.
As the ship’s situation worsened overnight, the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy successfully saved all 24 crew members, including a Russian captain, 20 Filipinos, and sailors from Georgia and Ukraine.
Three were airlifted, and 21 were evacuated using life rafts.
Important Risks and Reactions
Hazards of Pollution and Cargo Thirteen of the 640 containers the ship was carrying had unidentified hazardous goods, and twelve of them included calcium carbide, a substance that combines with water to produce deadly acetylene gas.
The ship also carried 367.1 tons of fuel oil and 84.44 tons of diesel.
Although no oil spill has been observed as of yet, the Indian Coast Guard has triggered full pollution response procedures, sending out the vessel Saksham and planes equipped with oil spill detection devices to keep an eye on the area.
Environmental Warning
Authorities are warning of possible container drift and advising fishermen and people to avoid coming into contact with any floating objects along Kerala’s environmentally sensitive coastline, which is on high alert.
The hazards of chemical exposure and marine pollution are highlighted in the statewide coastal alert issued by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
Vessel Specifics:
The 1997-built ship, flying the Liberian flag, left Vizhinjam Port on May 23 for Kochi. Authorities are still looking into what caused the listing, possibly pointing to mechanical failure, cargo instability, or unfavorable weather that coincided with Kerala’s early monsoon.
Salvage and Monitoring:
To evaluate sunken wreckage and possible container dispersion, the Coast Guard and Indian Navy are working together.
They fear the loss of over 100 containers, some of which have drifted up to 1 kilometer away from the location. Teams of rapid responders are ready to deal with oil spills and rescue trapped goods.
Results for the Industry
Growing worries about environmental resilience and maritime safety, especially in areas with delicate ecosystems, are brought to light by this tragedy. Stakeholders will keep an eye on India’sIndia’s spill mitigation efforts and the response from MSC will be monitoredvestigations proceed.
