Liberian cargo ship MSC ELSA 3 sinks near Kochi: Indian Navy, Coast Guard on high alert

What Happened Near Kochi on May 25, 2025?

A Liberian-flagged cargo vessel, MSC ELSA 3, sank early Sunday morning around 7:50 a.m. local time approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, Kerala. The incident triggered an immediate pollution and rescue alert from Indian maritime agencies. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Indian Navy responded swiftly to the distress signal, launched a coordinated rescue mission, and successfully evacuated all 24 crew members from the vessel before it capsized. The ship was carrying 640 containers, including hazardous materials, and over 450 metric tonnes of fuel oil.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed the sinking in an official statement released Sunday, noting that a full pollution response posture was activated. The Indian Coast Guard reported that aircraft and ships had been deployed to the site with advanced oil spill detection equipment. As of the latest update, no visible oil spill has been detected on the ocean surface, but authorities remain on high alert due to the vessel’s dangerous cargo profile.

How Did the Vessel Sink and What Caused the Emergency?

According to Indian Coast Guard officials, the maritime emergency began around 1:25 p.m. on May 24, 2025, when the vessel reported a 26-degree list to starboard. MSC ELSA 3 was en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi when it began taking on water, causing the ship to lose balance. The listing condition worsened overnight, and by the morning of May 25, the vessel had capsized and sunk despite efforts to stabilize it.

A distress signal was transmitted to the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) in Kochi. The ICG immediately launched air and sea assets, including a Dornier aircraft and the pollution control vessel ICGS Saksham. The Dornier aircraft located two life rafts with 21 crew members, who were rescued with the help of Coast Guard vessels and merchant ships in the vicinity, including MV Han Yi and MSC Silver 2. Three remaining crew members who had stayed onboard for salvage operations were later rescued by INS Sujata, an Indian Navy vessel.

What Kind of Cargo Was Onboard MSC ELSA 3?

The vessel’s manifest, shared by the Ministry of Defence and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), confirmed that it was carrying 640 containers. Among these were 13 containers holding hazardous cargo, including 12 with calcium carbide — a compound that reacts explosively when in contact with water, releasing flammable acetylene gas.

The ship was also loaded with 84.44 metric tonnes of Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and 367.1 metric tonnes of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), raising fears of an environmental spill. However, as of Sunday evening, Indian Coast Guard aircraft reported no confirmed oil slick, though early signs of a light oil sheen were under investigation, as reported by regional media outlets and the Times of India.

The Coast Guard emphasized that pollution containment equipment was already deployed at sea, and ICG vessels remained stationed in the vicinity for real-time environmental monitoring. ICGS Saksham is equipped with containment booms and skimmers to neutralize any potential discharge.

Why Is Kerala’s Coastline Especially At Risk?

The stretch of Arabian Sea coastline along Kerala is ecologically sensitive, known for its rich marine biodiversity and economic dependence on fisheries and tourism. The potential for an oil spill or hazardous material leak raises alarm for coral ecosystems, fish nurseries, and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) issued a statewide alert on Sunday, warning residents not to approach or touch any cargo containers or slicks that may wash ashore. Citizens were urged to contact local police or disaster response units if any drifting cargo or discoloration appears along the shore.

The KSDMA added that wind and current models were being reviewed in conjunction with national meteorological agencies to track any movement of surface pollutants or debris.

Who Was on Board and Where Are They Now?

The 24-member crew included 20 Filipino nationals, one Russian (the vessel’s Master), two Ukrainians, and one Georgian. All crew members are reported to be in stable condition. The rescued individuals are currently under observation in Kochi, and formal debriefs are underway with Indian maritime safety authorities to document their accounts of the vessel’s final hours.

According to Indian Navy and Coast Guard officials, cooperation with the vessel’s parent company and flag-state authorities is ongoing. A second vessel owned by the same company has reached the incident site and is expected to assist in salvage and containment efforts.

What Do Officials Say About Potential Environmental Impact?

While no major oil spill has been confirmed as of May 25 evening, Indian Coast Guard spokespersons noted that “full pollution response preparedness” remains in effect. Aircraft equipped with spill mapping sensors are flying regular sorties over the site, and remote sensing data is being collected to assess the ocean surface.

Officials from the Defence Ministry stressed that, although no oil slick has reached the coast, the drifting speed of any leaked oil is estimated at 3 km per hour. Fishing activities in a 20-nautical-mile radius have been suspended as a precautionary measure.

Environmental experts flagged calcium carbide as the most volatile cargo on board. The compound can form explosive atmospheres when exposed to seawater, posing risks to both marine life and coastal settlements if containers break loose and wash ashore.

What Is the Historical Context for This Maritime Incident?

This is one of the most serious cargo vessel incidents near the Kerala coast in recent memory. In 2021, a similar cargo vessel fire involving the X-Press Pearl off the coast of Sri Lanka highlighted the region’s growing vulnerability to hazardous maritime cargo mishandling and containment failures. The Indian Ocean region has seen rising shipping traffic in recent years, with vessels often carrying mixed cargo including flammable chemicals and oils.

India’s west coast has also been flagged by international maritime authorities for needing enhanced pollution response infrastructure, especially near high-traffic lanes approaching major ports such as Kochi, Mangalore, and Mumbai.

This incident comes against a backdrop of India expanding its coastal monitoring capabilities under the National Maritime Domain Awareness programme, with increasing emphasis on real-time satellite surveillance, pollution response simulation, and inter-agency drills between Navy, Coast Guard, and port authorities.

What Happens Next?

Authorities have stated that an investigation into the cause of the flooding and listing is underway. The Directorate General of Shipping is expected to coordinate with the ship’s operators and the Liberian flag-state administration to assess structural integrity issues, possible seaworthiness lapses, and compliance with IMO standards for hazardous cargo.

The environmental monitoring will continue over the next several days. Should any leakage be confirmed, containment booms may be expanded and land-based response teams may be activated to handle beach contamination.

Salvage and wreck management operations are likely to be coordinated by MSC and Indian authorities. In the interim, India’s maritime agencies are urging coastal residents to stay vigilant and report any unusual sightings to help prevent further environmental or human safety incidents.