An environmental emergency is threatening India’s coastline following the sinking of the container ship Msc Elsa 3, which occurred on 25 May 2025 approximately 38 nautical miles from Kochi, in the state of Kerala. According to Indian sources, the primary cause of the incident was the rapid and severe flooding of one of the ship’s compartments. The hull tilted 26 degrees, making any recovery manoeuvre impossible and ultimately leading to the vessel’s complete submersion off the country’s south-western coast. No other causes have been reported at this time, whether structural or external, such as fire or collision.
The Msc Elsa 3, sailing under the Liberian flag and operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company, had departed from the port of Vizhinjam on 23 May en route to Kochi. On board were 24 crew members of various nationalities, including Russian, Filipino, Ukrainian and Georgian. Rescue operations, coordinated by the Indian Coast Guard and Navy, took place between 24 and 25 May and resulted in the successful evacuation of 21 crew members via emergency rafts and assistance from passing vessels. The captain, the chief engineer and the second engineer remained on board until the very last moment in an attempt to save the ship, but were eventually rescued by a naval vessel shortly before the sinking. No fatalities have been reported.
The vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials. Of particular concern are twelve containers filled with calcium carbide, a chemical that can react with seawater to release flammable gases and calcium hydroxide, posing a potential threat to the marine environment. In addition to commercial cargo, the ship’s tanks held around 84 tonnes of diesel and 367 tonnes of fuel oil, which also represent a pollution risk, especially with the arrival of the monsoon season that could facilitate the spread of contaminants towards the coast.
Local authorities immediately activated an environmental emergency response plan to manage and control any potential spills. Aerial and naval patrols were deployed along the affected stretch of sea, and a regional task force was convened to assess the environmental impact of the incident. At the time of the latest update, no significant fuel leaks had been reported, but surveillance remains active and ongoing, including efforts to locate any containers adrift and drifting towards land.
The Msc Elsa 3 was built in 1997 and had a capacity of approximately 1,730 TEU. Its most recent inspection took place in November 2024 at the port of Mangalore, where five deficiencies were recorded, though no details were disclosed. The ship’s history also includes a collision in 2016 that caused structural damage, now raising questions about the vessel’s true condition.
