Kerala’s Coastal Teams Step Up After Cargo Spill Incident

Kerala’s coastline is facing a mounting crisis after the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 capsized off Alappuzha on May 25, 2025, unleashing a hazardous mix of oil, chemicals, and cargo into the Arabian Sea. The incident has prompted a statewide emergency, with authorities racing to contain environmental fallout and protect coastal communities.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Hazardous Cargo Overboard: Around 100 containers—including 13 with calcium carbide and others with hydrazine-based plastics—plunged into the sea. The ship was also carrying over 450 metric tonnes of diesel and furnace oil, raising fears of a major oil spill and chemical contamination.

 

Immediate Action: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched a robust pollution response, deploying ships and aircraft to disperse oil slicks and monitor the drift of hazardous materials. Two Offshore Patrol Vessels remain on-site for round-the-clock surveillance, while pollution response vessel Samudra Prahari is on standby for cleanup.

 

Coastal Alerts and Community Impact: Fishermen have been advised to stay ashore, and the public warned to avoid contact with any washed-up containers or oil slicks. Relief measures include cash and food aid for affected fishing families in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam.

 

Environmental Concerns: Plastic nurdles and other debris have already started washing ashore, sparking fears for marine life and local tourism. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority and environmental agencies are conducting ongoing inspections and simulations to predict and mitigate the spread of pollutants.

 

Recovery and Accountability: The ship’s operator, MSC, has been tasked with container recovery, oil removal, and compensation for losses. Fuel extraction is scheduled for June 3, with full-scale container recovery resuming post-monsoon.

 

As cleanup and recovery efforts intensify, Kerala’s coastal communities brace for ongoing challenges, with authorities pledging rigorous action to safeguard livelihoods and the environment.

 

Sources: India Today, Economic Times, Times of India