No significant pollution or environmental damage caused by MSC ELSA 3 capsize so far: Shipping company
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According to MSC, the light oil sheen initially observed around the vessel's location was promptly contained, and it has since dispersed. All accessible vents and sounding pipes from which oil could potentially escape have been capped. Therefore, at present, there is no imminent threat of an oil spill, environmental damage, or any related consequences. These submissions were in response to petitions filed by former MP T N Prathapan and others, seeking comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the incident.
The affidavit filed by MSC further states that of the 643 containers on board, 13 contained legally permitted hazardous cargo. It is believed that all 13 containers sank with the vessel. None of the 61 containers retrieved so far contained hazardous material. The other cargo on board included plastic products known as nurdles, of which more than 70 tonnes have been collected by special teams.
MSC also informed that the removal of fuel from the vessel's bunker tanks requires saturation diving — a high-risk operation unfeasible under the current weather conditions.
Also, the wreck does not appear to pose any navigational hazard and does not obstruct fishing activities. The vessel is currently stable and resting on the seabed at a depth of 54.5 meters. HC will consider the petitions on Wednesday.
The affidavit also describes the events leading to the shipwreck, stating that at 1am on May 24, the vessel developed a concerning starboard list, which continued to increase despite efforts by the crew to correct it. At that time, the vessel was approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi and 21.5 nautical miles from the nearest Kerala coast. By 3.15am, the list had increased to 30 degrees. The crew still onboard took proactive steps to stabilise the vessel, and about 40 containers fell overboard, reducing the list to 20-22 degrees.
However, the crew members were subsequently evacuated following a directive from DG Shipping, and although further efforts were made to correct the list, they were ultimately unsuccessful.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Govt proposes mandatory towing vessel at all ports for emergencies
Against the backdrop of recent shipping disasters, the Directorate General of Shipping has proposed to make it mandatory for all Indian ports, whether major or non-major, handling 10 million metric tonnes (MMT) or more of cargo annually to designate at least one tug or towing vessel for emergency response. India has witnessed serious maritime incidents along its coastline that exposed vulnerabilities in the current emergency response framework. The sinking of container ship MSC ELSA 3 in May 2025 and major fire and explosion of container ship WAN HAI 503 in June 2025, off the coast of Kerala, led to falling of several containers in waters and the release of hazardous cargo and significant environmental risk. "In view of the challenges and urgent need enumerated above and to meet the requirements of Central/State/District/Port Disaster Management, the Directorate General of Shipping hereby mandates that all Indian portswhether Major or Non-major, Public or Privatehandling 10 million metric tonnes (MMT) or more of cargo annually and/or maintaining a fleet of two or more tugs for port operations shall designate at least one tug for emergency response," India's maritime regulator said in a draft notice issued for stakeholder consultation. The designated tug must have sea-going capabilities and be appropriately equipped for emergency duties including firefighting, towing, and pollution response. The draft notice also said the designated tug must have sea-going capabilities and appropriately equipped for emergency duties including firefighting, towing, and pollution response. The draft notice said incidents of fire, machinery failure, grounding, etc., occurred around the Indian Coast, year after year, especially during the monsoon months have demonstrated the need for the urgent deployment of Tugs for towing and other functions such as Fire Fighting, supply of resources etc to the accident site toprovide timely assistance to the Indian Coast guard and Navy being the first responders India's expanding maritime trade has brought about increased vessel traffic, higher cargo volumes, and elevated navigational risks along its extensive coastline. Despite this growth, the availability of maritime salvage and emergency towing capabilities in Ports around the Indian coast remains limited. Currently, the Directorate General of Shipping, in agreement with Mumbai Port Authority and Chennai Port Authority has positioned two Seagoing Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) one each based at Mumbai and Chennai. Normally such ETVs are deployed as Harbour Tugs throughout the year and perform the day-to-day functions of berthing/unberthing etc. In emergency situations, the Directorate orders deployment of ETVs to the incident site which perform the duties as per the instructions of the On-Scene Commander, Indian Coast Guard. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
No significant pollution or environmental damage caused by MSC ELSA 3 capsize so far: Shipping company
Kochi: Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), owner of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3, which capsized off Kerala coast on May 25, has informed high court that no significant pollution or environmental damage has been caused by the incident so far. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to MSC, the light oil sheen initially observed around the vessel's location was promptly contained, and it has since dispersed. All accessible vents and sounding pipes from which oil could potentially escape have been capped. Therefore, at present, there is no imminent threat of an oil spill, environmental damage, or any related consequences. These submissions were in response to petitions filed by former MP T N Prathapan and others, seeking comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the incident. The affidavit filed by MSC further states that of the 643 containers on board, 13 contained legally permitted hazardous cargo. It is believed that all 13 containers sank with the vessel. None of the 61 containers retrieved so far contained hazardous material. The other cargo on board included plastic products known as nurdles, of which more than 70 tonnes have been collected by special teams. MSC also informed that the removal of fuel from the vessel's bunker tanks requires saturation diving — a high-risk operation unfeasible under the current weather conditions. Also, the wreck does not appear to pose any navigational hazard and does not obstruct fishing activities. The vessel is currently stable and resting on the seabed at a depth of 54.5 meters. HC will consider the petitions on Wednesday. The affidavit also describes the events leading to the shipwreck, stating that at 1am on May 24, the vessel developed a concerning starboard list, which continued to increase despite efforts by the crew to correct it. At that time, the vessel was approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi and 21.5 nautical miles from the nearest Kerala coast. By 3.15am, the list had increased to 30 degrees. The crew still onboard took proactive steps to stabilise the vessel, and about 40 containers fell overboard, reducing the list to 20-22 degrees. However, the crew members were subsequently evacuated following a directive from DG Shipping, and although further efforts were made to correct the list, they were ultimately unsuccessful.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
SOP for tree felling to be tweaked in city after HC order
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