May 27, 2025 (MarketLine via COMTEX) --
Several of the ship's 640 containers drifted towards the shore, causing concern.
Authorities in Kerala have initiated a containment operation following the sinking of a Liberian-flagged vessel carrying oil and hazardous materials off the coast near Kochi city in the Arabian Sea.
The coastal area, known for its rich biodiversity and as a popular tourist destination, is now under threat due to the sinking of the MSC ELSA 3, which was en route from Vizhinjam port to Kochi.
Following the incident, which occurred approximately 38 nautical miles (nm) from the coast, all 24 crew members were rescued.
Concerns have risen as some of the ship's 640 containers began drifting toward the shore.
Local authorities have issued warnings to residents living near the sea, advising against touching any containers or oil that may wash up.
The BBC quoted a statement from the Chief Minister's office as saying: "As the oil slick can reach anywhere along the Kerala coast, an alert has been sounded across the coastal belt.aEUR
Fishermen have also been instructed to steer clear of the area surrounding the sunken ship.
The Indian Coast Guard has escalated pollution control efforts, deploying a vessel equipped with pollution control gear and an aircraft with an oil spill detection system to monitor the situation.
The MSC ELSA 3 began to tilt dangerously before capsizing into the Arabian Sea in the early hours of Sunday due to flooding in one of its compartments.
The Indian Coast Guard reported that the ship was transporting 13 containers of hazardous cargo including 12 containers filled with calcium carbide, which can emit flammable gas upon contact with seawater.
"Additionally, [the] ship had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil in its tanks," the statement said.
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COMTEX_465856927/2227/2025-05-27T09:34:23
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