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Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Science
- Deccan Herald
Oil spills call for new response
Following accidents involving the Liberian vessel MSC ELSA 3 and the Singaporean container MV Wan Hai 503, both along Kerala's coast, the Arabian Sea's vulnerability to marine transit hazards was further exposed when oil tankers ADALYNN and Front Eagle collided near the Strait of Hormuz on June 17, sparking massive fires. These back-to-back incidents underscore a critical reality: as India's maritime traffic surges, so does its exposure to oil spills that demand immediate policy intervention and technological response to such incidents demonstrates both India's maritime monitoring capabilities and critical gaps that threaten long-term coastal security. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Indian Coast Guard (ICG), and Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) coordinated effectively to monitor the oil slick and implement containment measures soon after the sinking of the Liberian vessel. CMFRI's ongoing coastal surveys following the accidents can be extremely useful for disaster management by the country's coastal and oil spill advisory issued after fire on container ship off Kerala EOS-04 satellite provided spatial images, using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors capable of monitoring oil spills regardless of lighting or weather. However, this reliance on a primarily Earth observation satellite highlights a concerning gap in India's dedicated ocean monitoring infrastructure. The dependence on multi-purpose satellites creates potential conflicts between monitoring priorities and limits specialised maritime surveillance current oil spill trajectory modelling relies on adapted versions of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s General NOAA Operational Modelling Environment (GNOME) tool. These generalised international models using broad parameters and spatial data of coarse resolutions might struggle with India's unique peninsular coastline, without localised data inputs and specialised algorithms to predict oil spill behaviour. These limitations become pronounced during monsoon periods, when tropical ocean patterns dramatically alter, necessitating a region-specific technology deployment. More critically, the sensors can only detect oil presence or absence, not its types – information crucial for determining appropriate response spills create cascading impacts across sectors and environmental damage beyond visible contamination – from marine biodiversity to coastal economy, from health impact on coastal communities to losses in the energy sector. Yet these impacts rarely factor into policy well in Assam capped after 16 days of gas leakage: most concerning is the absence of comprehensive regulatory frameworks governing maritime pollution incidents. The absence of mandatory state-level oil spill contingency plans for vessels transiting Indian waters represents a significant policy gap. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) also lacks independent capacity including boats and satellite data, enhancing dependencies on central to National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan, last updated in 2014, suffers from weak enforcement mechanisms and fragmented institutional oversight. The divided but overlapping authority between ICG, Pollution Control Boards, port authorities, and Directorate General of Shipping creates coordination challenges leading to delays in legal action against polluters. The tiered response structure also creates bureaucratic bottlenecks during major recent incidents highlight the need to focus on addressing India's maritime vulnerability that requires dedicated technological infrastructure designed for ocean monitoring. Deploying satellites with advanced sensors capable of oil type identification would enable real-time characterisation of pollutants, allowing immediate deployment of appropriate response technologies. These sensors, already available, could transform response effectiveness from generic containment to targeted and decentralised geospatial dashboards integrating real-time satellite data, weather information, vessel tracking, and response resource locations would provide comprehensive situational awareness. Enhanced inter-agency coordination between state disaster management authorities and national agencies like INCOIS and ICG requires structured training programmes and regular joint exercises. Rather than expecting universal expertise, shared capacity-building can enable seamless coordination during emergencies. Regular interactive training exercises in the state's specific geographic conditions would identify operational gaps and improve response Kerala chapter shows that the maritime future of Indian coastal states depends on transforming reactive crisis management into proactive risk prevention. This requires immediate investments in dedicated ocean monitoring satellites, comprehensive regulatory frameworks with robust accountability measures, and integrated response systems designed specifically for India's tropical coastal environment. The technology exists – what's needed is commitment to implement comprehensive maritime ecological safeguards before the next inevitable spill tests India's resilience..(The writer is a research analyst at the Takshashila Institution)
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
IMD issues heavy rainfall alert for Kerala from June 22-25
Kochi: IMD has issued a heavy rainfall warning for Kerala from June 22 to 25. A yellow alert was issued for Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts on Sunday, and for Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts on Monday. Squally weather with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, is likely to prevail over the east-central and adjoining areas of the northeast Arabian Sea, along with the Gujarat, Maharashtra, Konkan, and Goa coasts. An offshore trough runs from the north Konkan coast to the north Kerala coast. INCOIS has issued a yellow-level high wave alert for Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kannur, Kasargod, Kollam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, and Thiruvananthapuram districts on Friday. There was a respite from heavy rainfall in several places of the state for the last two days. According to the 24-hour rainfall recorded on Thursday morning, Chalakudy and Ponnani received 7cm of rainfall, while Vellanikkara, Piravam, and Idamalayar Dam received 6cm of rainfall. 17-year-old swept away in paddy field found dead A Plus Two student, who was swept away in the strong currents in a water-filled paddy field in Eraviperoor, was found dead on Thursday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The deceased Jero Abraham Sabu, 17, a Kattode native, went missing on Wednesday evening while taking a dip with his friends. The body was found on the bed of the paddy field around 7am by the voluntary rescue team from Erattupetta, 'Team Emergency'. The five-member group, including Jero, went to take a dip. While taking a bath, one of his friends was carried away by the water current. While trying to rescue his friend, Jero got trapped in the water current and later drowned. Hearing the commotion, locals rushed to the spot and managed to rescue his friend. However, fire force rescue unit and locals couldn't trace Jero. The deceased was a Plus Two student of the Balikamadom higher secondary school in Thirumoolapuram.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
A ship is burning bright near Kerala day and night with fuel and fear aboard
Oil spill advisories, slight tilt in the ship, risk of ship sinking, containers falling into the sea - a lot has happened since an explosion and a massive fire broke out below the deck of a Singapore-flagged vessel , M.V. Wan Hai 503, on June 9. The ship was sailing nearly 70 nautical miles off the Kerala coast near Kozhikode on Monday. The sailing fire has raised several environmental concerns as the ship continues to emit thick smoke. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) continued its efforts to control the fire until Thursday, June 12, as reported. The vessel remains unmanned and adrift, 65 nautical miles from Kozhikode, Kerala, as on Thursday. Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Sachet, carrying out firefighting operations over MV Wan Hai 503 , are still in the process of completely combating the fire and smoke. The Coast Guard team has deployed numerous measures to control the fire, rescue officers on-board and site surveillance. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued an advisory to warn of a potential oil spill. The government ministry has also issued an advisory warning of drifting containers as several containers fell from the ship due to the explosion. Reportedly, 10 to 15 of the fallen containers were spotted adrift on a course toward the Kerala coast. The ship was carrying hazardous substances , including solids that can spontaneously combust, flammable liquids and solids, and substances harmful to human health. Hence, the firefighting operations require caution and expert advice. The contents of the ship raise concerns about ocean water contamination, possibility of an explosion, and harm to marine life. There is a high probability that the containers and debris that went overboard from the vessel Wan Hai 503 may drift south-southeastwards from the accident location may beach Thalassery and Kochi in the next 4 – 5 days, said INCOIS on Thursday. The containers containing hazardous substances are likely to continue to drift in the ocean for the next 4-5 days and might take longer to beach. A few containers are at the risk of beaching between Kozhikode and Kochi. Some units are likely to sink to the seabed depending on their contents. This would pose further risk to marine life as the containers, along with their contents will spread hazardous substances deep inside the ocean water. INCIOS suggested that local authorities should increase surveillance and issue precautions as a preparatory measure for potential marine hazards such as navigational obstructions or shoreline contamination. The fire raises a threat of explosion because the ship tank contains approximately 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel, adjacent to the fire zone. This also poses a high risk of fire escalation. The ship has tilted approximately 10 to 15 degrees to its left, as stated by the Indian Coast Guard. The ship's tilt makes room for possibilities of the vessel to sink along with dangerous cargo, which will have adverse effects on marine life at a large scale. The listing of the ship is a major challenge for the rescuers. 'We can't say anything about the future of the ship and the dangerous cargo onboard the ship only after dousing the fire. However, we are hopeful that the fire could be contained,' a senior Union Shipping Ministry source told The Hindu. 'The vessels of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are doing their level best, but a positive outcome is highly unlikely as the fire continues to rage and spread. Since there are containers drifting around the vessel, firefighting vessels are struggling to pump water from a close range. At the same time, there are flammable substances in the containers,' an official source told TOI. ICG posted an update about MV Wan Hai 503 on Thursday, stating that firefighting operations have significantly reduced the blaze onboard. While conducting joint efforts with Indian Armed Forces, a massive amount of Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) has been air-dropped for fire control. IAF has dropped 4000 kg of DCP for controlling metal fire. However, amid several warnings, no oil spills and sheens have been reported so far. The vessel is held safely away from the coast. The firefighting operations are still underway by seven ICG ships alongside boundary cooling. The weather conditions continue to be adverse in the west Sea as ICG runs firefighting operations 24x7.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
A ship is burning bright near Kerala day and night with fuel and fear aboard
Oil spill advisories, slight tilt in the ship, risk of ship sinking, containers falling into the sea - a lot has happened since an explosion and a massive fire broke out below the deck of a Singapore-flagged vessel , M.V. Wan Hai 503, on June 9. The ship was sailing nearly 70 nautical miles off the Kerala coast near Kozhikode on Monday. The sailing fire has raised several environmental concerns as the ship continues to emit thick smoke. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) continued its efforts to control the fire until Thursday, June 12, as reported. The vessel remains unmanned and adrift, 65 nautical miles from Kozhikode, Kerala, as on Thursday. Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Sachet, carrying out firefighting operations over MV Wan Hai 503 , are still in the process of completely combating the fire and smoke. The Coast Guard team has deployed numerous measures to control the fire, rescue officers on-board and site surveillance. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued an advisory to warn of a potential oil spill. The government ministry has also issued an advisory warning of drifting containers as several containers fell from the ship due to the explosion. Reportedly, 10 to 15 of the fallen containers were spotted adrift on a course toward the Kerala coast. The ship was carrying hazardous substances , including solids that can spontaneously combust, flammable liquids and solids, and substances harmful to human health. Hence, the firefighting operations require caution and expert advice. The contents of the ship raise concerns about ocean water contamination, possibility of an explosion, and harm to marine life. There is a high probability that the containers and debris that went overboard from the vessel Wan Hai 503 may drift south-southeastwards from the accident location may beach Thalassery and Kochi in the next 4 – 5 days, said INCOIS on Thursday. The containers containing hazardous substances are likely to continue to drift in the ocean for the next 4-5 days and might take longer to beach. A few containers are at the risk of beaching between Kozhikode and Kochi. Live Events Some units are likely to sink to the seabed depending on their contents. This would pose further risk to marine life as the containers, along with their contents will spread hazardous substances deep inside the ocean water. INCIOS suggested that local authorities should increase surveillance and issue precautions as a preparatory measure for potential marine hazards such as navigational obstructions or shoreline contamination. The fire raises a threat of explosion because the ship tank contains approximately 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel, adjacent to the fire zone. This also poses a high risk of fire escalation. The ship has tilted approximately 10 to 15 degrees to its left, as stated by the Indian Coast Guard. The ship's tilt makes room for possibilities of the vessel to sink along with dangerous cargo, which will have adverse effects on marine life at a large scale. The listing of the ship is a major challenge for the rescuers. 'We can't say anything about the future of the ship and the dangerous cargo onboard the ship only after dousing the fire. However, we are hopeful that the fire could be contained,' a senior Union Shipping Ministry source told The Hindu. 'The vessels of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are doing their level best, but a positive outcome is highly unlikely as the fire continues to rage and spread. Since there are containers drifting around the vessel, firefighting vessels are struggling to pump water from a close range. At the same time, there are flammable substances in the containers,' an official source told TOI. ICG posted an update about MV Wan Hai 503 on Thursday, stating that firefighting operations have significantly reduced the blaze onboard. While conducting joint efforts with Indian Armed Forces, a massive amount of Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) has been air-dropped for fire control. IAF has dropped 4000 kg of DCP for controlling metal fire. However, amid several warnings, no oil spills and sheens have been reported so far. The vessel is held safely away from the coast. The firefighting operations are still underway by seven ICG ships alongside boundary cooling. The weather conditions continue to be adverse in the west Sea as ICG runs firefighting operations 24x7.
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Oil spill from fire-damaged container ship may reach Kerala coast by June 14
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has warned the state government that the oil spill from the fire-damaged cargo vessel Wan Hai 503 could reach Kerala coast by Saturday, triggering a potential environmental crisis. As per the simulated forecast by INCOIS, the ocean information service provider under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the oil spill could begin washing ashore between Chavakkad and Kochi by June 14 and Ernakulam coast by June 15. The simulation based on the presumed spill of 100 tonnes of fuel oil starting Wednesday (June 11) was conducted using advanced forecasting models by INCOIS. The agency has warned the state government of potential shoreline contamination and ecological damage owing to the oil spill and has advised immediate response from local authorities. The warning comes three days after the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Wan Hai 503 caught fire following a container explosion on June 9, approximately 70 nautical miles off the Kozhikode coast. The vessel, which was en route to Mumbai's Nhava Sheva port from Colombo, remains unmanned and adrift.
