The Sinking of MSC ELSA 3: A Maritime Accident with Grave Environmental Consequences

On May 24, 2025, the container vessel MSC ELSA 3, flagged under Liberia, sank approximately 38 nautical miles (about 70 km) off the coast of Kerala, India. The ship was en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi when it suffered a critical structural failure, leading to the flooding of one of its compartments and ultimately, its sinking in the Arabian Sea.

While all 24 crew members were rescued safely in a timely and coordinated operation by the Indian Coast Guard, the incident has triggered widespread concern due to the vessel's hazardous cargo and large quantities of fuel. The environmental, ecological, and economic repercussions are beginning to unfold along the Kerala and Tamil Nadu coastlines.

What Was Onboard: A Recipe for Ecological Disaster

At the time of its sinking, MSC ELSA 3 was carrying 640 containers, including:

• 13 containers of hazardous chemicals, the exact composition of which has not been publicly disclosed,

• 12 containers of calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts violently with water to produce acetylene gas, which is highly flammable and can pose an explosion risk,

• 84.44 metric tons of diesel, and

• 367.1 metric tons of furnace oil.

These materials represent a significant threat to marine ecosystems, public safety, and coastal livelihoods.

Nurdle Spill: A Crisis within a Crisis

One of the most alarming outcomes of the incident has been the unleashing of a spill of plastic nurdles, tiny pellets used in plastic manufacturing, into the sea. The nurdles have begun washing up on beaches from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala to Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu.

This marks India's first major nurdle spill caused by a shipwreck, and it couldn’t have struck at a worse location: the heart of the Malabar Upwelling Region, one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world.

Malabar Upwelling Region: A Global Biodiversity Hotspot Under Threat

The Malabar Upwelling Region stretches from Ratnagiri in Maharashtra to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. It is one of five major seasonal ocean current-driven upwelling systems in the world, the others being:

• The Canary Current Upwelling (off Northwest Africa),

• The Benguela Current Upwelling (off Southwest Africa),

• The California Current Upwelling (off the U.S. West Coast),

• The Peru (Humboldt) Current Upwelling (off the west coast of South America).

Although these regions occupy less than 1% of the global ocean area, they are responsible for more than 25% of the world’s fish catch, supporting vibrant ecosystems and crucial fisheries.

The Malabar coast plays a vital role in sustaining India’s marine biodiversity and economy, and now it is under serious threat. The release of plastic nurdles into this fragile environment risks ingestion by marine organisms, disruption of reproductive systems in fish, long-term contamination of food chains, and physical damage to coral reefs and estuarine systems.

Latest Development: Container Washes Ashore in Kollam

On May 28, 2025, a container from the sunken vessel washed ashore in Kollam, Kerala, confirming fears that cargo from the ship could drift toward land. The container’s presence has heightened concerns over chemical contamination, explosive risk, and the safety of coastal residents.

Emergency response teams have been deployed to remove the container safely, and monitoring efforts have been intensified across Kerala’s shoreline. Authorities remain on high alert for additional debris and containers that may surface or reach shore in the coming days.

Environmental Response and Public Safety Measures

The Kerala state government and the Indian Coast Guard have initiated a large-scale emergency response:

• A coastal alert has been issued urging the public to avoid touching or approaching any unknown materials or containers that may wash ashore.

• Fishermen have been advised to stay away from the affected waters to avoid chemical exposure and potential marine contamination.

• Pollution control vessels, aerial surveillance aircraft, and remotely operated underwater equipment have been deployed to assess damage and contain the spread of pollutants.

• Equipment such as oil skimmers, floating booms, and chemical dispersants is being used to contain and recover any spilled fuel or hazardous material.

Environmental Risks at a Glance

1. Chemical Hazards

• Calcium carbide containers, if breached, can react with seawater, releasing acetylene gas, which is toxic and explosive.

• The undisclosed hazardous materials may pose risks of poisoning, contamination, or chemical burns to marine life and humans alike.

2. Oil Spills

• Diesel and furnace oil are highly persistent in marine environments.

• These substances can suffocate fish, coat marine mammals and birds, damage coral reefs, and disrupt marine food chains.

• If leaked oil reaches shorelines, it may impact mangroves, estuaries, and tourism-based economies.

3. Livelihood Impacts

• The fishing community, particularly in coastal Kerala, is under threat as contamination may force temporary fishing bans and affect marine catch.

• This could result in economic distress for thousands who depend on fishing as a livelihood.

Scientific & Policy Reactions

Environmental scientists and marine biologists are now conducting impact assessments on:

• Coral reefs, estuarine systems, and mangrove belts along Kerala’s coast,

• The presence of toxic elements in seawater and marine organisms,

• The potential for long-term food chain contamination.

In the wake of this incident, there is a growing demand for:

• Greater transparency in cargo documentation,

• Stricter international regulations on the maritime transport of hazardous substances,

• Robust emergency response frameworks for maritime disasters.

The Kerala government is expected to form a multi-agency task force involving:

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,

• The Ministry of Shipping,

• The Indian Navy and Coast Guard,

• National research and disaster management agencies.

This task force will coordinate damage assessment, community protection measures, and ecological restoration efforts.

A Wake-Up Call for Maritime Safety and Environmental Governance

The sinking of MSC ELSA 3 serves as a grim reminder of the hidden dangers in global maritime trade, especially when ships carry hazardous cargo and fossil fuels across ecologically sensitive waters.

While human lives were saved, the ecological cost continues to unfold, possibly affecting India’s marine biodiversity for years to come. The nurdle spill, especially, is likely to be a long-lasting contaminant, difficult to track, and nearly impossible to fully remove.

    As Kerala grapples with the environmental aftermath, the MSC ELSA 3 incident stands as a sobering reminder of the risks tied to maritime transport, especially when hazardous materials and critical ecosystems are involved. It presents an urgent opportunity to strengthen maritime safety protocols, improve inter-agency coordination, protect vulnerable ecosystems like the Malabar Upwelling Region, and educate coastal communities on disaster preparedness.

The world watches closely, not only to see how Kerala responds, but also to draw broader lessons on balancing economic activities with the imperative to safeguard our oceans.