Kerala’s MSC ELSA-3 Shipwreck: A State Disaster with Far-Reaching Impacts

On May 25, 2025, the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MSC ELSA-3 sank 14.6 nautical miles off the coast of Thottappalli in Alappuzha district, Kerala, triggering widespread concern about its environmental, social, and economic consequences. The Kerala government swiftly declared the shipwreck a “State-specific disaster,” citing the grave risks posed by oil spills, hazardous cargo, and drifting debris along its 640-km coastline. Carrying over 643 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials like calcium carbide and plastic pellets (nurdles), and significant quantities of diesel and furnace oil, the incident has exposed the vulnerabilities of Kerala’s ecologically fragile coast and its dependence on marine-based livelihoods. This blog explores the ecological and social impacts of the disaster and examines Kerala’s multifaceted response strategy to mitigate the crisis.

Ecological Impacts: A Threat to Kerala’s Marine Ecosystem

The sinking of MSC ELSA-3 has unleashed a cascade of environmental challenges, primarily due to the release of hazardous materials and fuel into the Arabian Sea. The vessel was carrying 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, with an estimated 88 tonnes of oil already spilled by May 26, 2025, of which 12 tonnes are believed to have evaporated. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) reported no oil slick reaching the shoreline by May 27, thanks to containment efforts, but the potential for long-term ecological damage remains significant.

Oil Spills and Marine Life

Oil spills are notorious for their devastating effects on marine ecosystems. The spill from MSC ELSA-3 threatens Kerala’s rich marine biodiversity, including fish, plankton, and benthic organisms. Dr. Grinson George, Director of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), emphasized the need for immediate and long-term studies to assess the spill’s impact. Oil can coat marine animals, impairing their ability to swim, breathe, or feed, and disrupt the food chain. The early onset of the southwest monsoon, which typically boosts fish activity and reproduction, has heightened concerns, as pollutants could spread faster in turbulent waters. The CMFRI has deployed four teams across Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram to collect water, phytoplankton, and sediment samples, monitoring parameters like oil and grease levels, dissolved oxygen, and pH.

Nurdle Pollution: A Silent Menace

Adding to the crisis, tiny plastic pellets known as nurdles, suspected to be from the ship’s cargo, have washed ashore in Thiruvananthapuram and neighboring Tamil Nadu’s Kanniyakumari district. Dr. A. Biju Kumar, Senior Professor at the University of Kerala’s Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, described nurdles as primary microplastics (1-5 mm in diameter) that pose a severe threat to marine and coastal ecosystems. Composed of low- and high-density polyethylene, these pellets can break down into micro- and nano-plastics, entering the food chain and endangering marine life and human health. Nurdles are difficult to clean up due to their small size and widespread dispersal, making them a long-term pollutant. The spill marks India’s first major nurdle-related incident from a shipwreck, underscoring the need for robust coastal management.

Long-Term Ecological Risks

Experts warn that the hazardous cargo, including calcium carbide—a highly reactive and flammable chemical—could exacerbate environmental damage if not contained. Calcium carbide reacts with water to produce acetylene gas, posing risks of explosions and further contamination. The drifting of containers, with 50 already located ashore and over 100 lost at sea, threatens navigation safety and marine habitats. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board, in coordination with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), is working to remove containers, but rough weather has delayed sampling near the wreck site, complicating assessments of deep-sea impacts.

Social and Economic Impacts: A Blow to Coastal Communities

The shipwreck’s repercussions extend beyond the environment, deeply affecting Kerala’s coastal communities, particularly its fishing sector, which supports thousands of livelihoods. The Kerala government imposed a fishing ban within a 20-nautical-mile radius of the wreck site, disrupting the livelihoods of small-scale fishers who were anticipating a bountiful catch due to the early monsoon. The fear of contaminated fish has led to public apprehension, potentially rendering catches unsellable and threatening the economic stability of fishing communities.

Impact on Fishers and Tourism

Thiruvananthapuram’s fishers, already grappling with declining catches due to sea warming and sediment shifts, face further hardship. The 2022 protests against the Vizhinjam Container Transshipment Port, which highlighted the region’s ecological fragility, foreshadowed this crisis. Fishers’ concerns about port-related risks, such as shipwrecks and pollution, have now materialized. The tourism industry, a significant economic driver in Kerala, is also at risk, as polluted beaches and hazardous debris deter visitors. The government’s high-level committee, chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, is tasked with assessing these socio-economic losses and seeking compensation from MSC.

Public Health and Safety Concerns

The presence of hazardous materials washing ashore has prompted public safety warnings. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has urged coastal residents, fishermen, and tourists to avoid handling suspicious debris and to report sightings to authorities. The risk of chemical exposure from calcium carbide or nurdles underscores the need for community awareness and coordinated cleanup efforts.

Kerala’s Response Strategy: A Multi-Pronged Approach

The Kerala government, in collaboration with national agencies and the MSC, has launched a comprehensive response to mitigate the disaster’s impacts. Declaring the shipwreck a State-specific disaster has unlocked emergency funds and resources from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), enabling rapid action. Below are the key components of Kerala’s strategy:

Immediate Containment and Cleanup

The Indian Coast Guard has deployed three Offshore Patrol Vessels and the pollution control vessel ICGS Samudra Prahari, supported by Dornier aircraft for aerial surveillance and oil spill dispersant application. By May 30, 2025, efforts were underway to recover oil from the sunken ship, retrieve drifting cargo, and remove containers washed ashore. Captain Abul Kalam Azad, Nautical Advisor to the Government of India, stated that oil recovery is expected to be completed by July 3, 2025, with over 50 containers already located at seven sites. Emergency teams, including sanitation workers, police, and volunteers, are conducting large-scale coastal cleanups, with local participation encouraged