Image: Shipping containers – Teng Yuhong
In a significant maritime incident, the Liberia-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 sank approximately 38 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, on 25th May 2025, triggering a substantial oil spill and raising serious environmental concerns. The vessel was enroute from Vizhinjam to Kochi when it capsized and sank, releasing fuel and cargo into the Arabian Sea.
The ship was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials, along with 84 tonnes of diesel and 367 tonnes of heavy-duty furnace oil. All 24 crew members were safely rescued.
The Indian Coast Guard responded promptly, deploying three ships and a Dornier aircraft equipped with oil spill detection systems to contain the oil slick using dispersant chemicals. Despite challenging sea conditions, including sea states at levels 4–5 and strong winds, the Coast Guard continued conducting intensive surveillance and spill mitigation operations.
The Kerala government declared the incident a state-specific disaster and established a team, led by the special secretary of the environment department, to coordinate sector-wide impact assessments.
Warnings to avoid the area
Director of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Dr Grinson George, warns: “oil smothering could threaten sensitive marine species and disrupt fishing activities, especially for artisanal fishers in coastal areas.” He continues “if the spill spreads, it could affect marine productivity during the monsoon – a critical breeding and growth season for pelagic fish. This could have long lasting repercussions for the region’s fisheries.”
The incident has drawn parallels to previous maritime disasters, such as the 2020 Mauritius oil spill, highlighting that contamination can persist for years in ecosystems like mangroves, even after undergoing natural biodegradation.
Authorities have issued warnings to residents and fishermen to avoid the affected coastal areas and to stay clear of any containers that may wash ashore. The situation remains under close monitoring as cleanup efforts continue and assessments of environmental impact are underway.
Flags of convenience
The government is engaging with MSC to negotiate a financial aid package for damage assessment and compensation. However, who is ultimately responsible for the sinking is “intentionally confusing,” reports the Indian Express. The ship was operating under a Liberian flag, known to be a ‘flag of convenience’ – a system in which ships are registered in a different country than their owners to take advantage of more relaxed regulations. Liberia have refused to participate in the investigation. The flag of convenience model, which is often criticised but not illegal, “disproportionately shields shipowners from liability while exposing coastal nations to ecological and legal fallout.”