Danger in the sea: on Kerala and the MSC Elsa 3 sinking
Though containers have tremendously boosted world trade logistics, oversight and control of what each container that passes several hands, ships and yards has is a global problem. Besides the 600-odd containers still lodged inside Elsa 3's cargo space, some 365 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 60 tonnes of diesel lie inside the ship's tanks. That much of the oil has not seeped out yet is fortuitous but there is every possibility of it happening if quick action is not taken. The Chennai coast was ravaged by 250 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from an oil tanker that collided with an LPG carrier in 2017. MSC Elsa 3 is a toxic dump that needs to be quickly disposed of. Salvers are being engaged and they will follow international insurance protocols. The National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) names the Coast Guard as the nodal agency for such responses. In Chennai, the response was delayed by several days and there was much confusion and a lack of coordination between agencies. In Kerala, however, there has been enough time to rig up an effective response. With ambitious plans for economic growth that will inevitably lead to a surge in ship traffic, the government has also planned to draw more national and global transshipment traffic into India's waters. India is only set to see a great number and variety of ships of varying cargoes on its coast in future. The Kerala response will show how well prepared India is to handle a major maritime disaster.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
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.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
4 days ago
- First Post
Quad launches first-ever coast guard 'at-sea observer mission' to boost maritime cooperation in Indo-Pacific
For the first time, the Coast Guards of Quad nations, comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, have launched a 'Quad at-sea Ship Observer Mission' to enhance maritime security and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region. The mission involves deployment of coast guard observers on a US Coast Guard ship operating in the Indo-Pacific. read more Coast Guard personnel of Quad nations, comprising India, the United States, Australia, and Japan, operate jointly as part of the first-ever 'Quad at-sea Ship Observer Mission'. (Photo: Indian Coast Guard) The Quad, comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, has launched the first 'Quad at-sea Ship Observer Mission' to enhance maritime security and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region. The mission involves two officers, including women, from the coast guards of each nation. The Quad is an informal grouping committed to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. The group, which is involved in security cooperation, humanitarian and disaster relief work, and developmental activities, is also a way of member states to counter China's hegemonic designs in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Quad at-sea Ship Observer Mission was conceptualised at the Quad Summit 2024 in Wilmington in the United States. Under the Wilmington Declaration, the Coast Guards of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia have launched the 'QUAD at Sea Ship Observer Mission', which involves the deployment of two officers, including women officers, from each country on board US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Stratton, which is currently sailing to Guam, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. 'The cross-embarkation mission marks an unprecedented step in Quad Coast Guard collaboration, enhancing joint readiness, operational coordination, and domain awareness in support of a Free, Open, Inclusive, and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific,' the statement further said. While Quad is not a military alliance, the member states have increased military cooperation under Quad framework in recent years. Former US President Joe Biden, who hosted the Quad Summit 2024 at his home in Wilmington, joined hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make Quad one of the leading instruments of managing the Indo-Pacific region and countering the Chinese aggressive posturing in the region. In 2023, India, Australia, Japan, and the United States held military drills off the Australian coast. The drills were widely dubbed as 'Quad Drills'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The MoD said that India's participation in the Quad at-Sea Ship Observer Mission reinforces its strategic maritime vision of Sagar (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and complements national efforts under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), with an emphasis on capacity-building, humanitarian outreach, and maritime rule of law. Moreover, the Quad at-sea initiative thus sets the foundation for a 'QUAD Coast Guard Handshake', fostering stronger trust, coordination, and collective resilience amid evolving maritime challenges in the region, the statement further said.
