Incident Overview of MSC Elsa 3
On May 24, MSC Elsa 3, carrying over 640 containers, started tilting off the coast of Kochi due to an operational issue. Despite being structurally safe, the crew abandoned the ship after failing to stabilize it. The ship now lies 50 meters below on the seabed.
Hazardous Cargo Details
- The ship's cargo manifest indicated 13 containers with hazardous materials.
- 12 containers contained calcium carbide, a reactive compound.
- 1 container had rubber solution, which reacted with seawater, resulting in plastic pellets on the Kerala coast.
- 50 containers, many of which were empty, were found floating due to monsoon weather conditions.
Environmental Concerns
- Five containers with calcium carbide lie on the seabed, posing a pollution hazard requiring careful disposal.
- Some oil pollution has been reported, raising concerns about further environmental damage.
- There is uncertainty about safely disposing of the plastic pellets.
Potential Oil Spill
- Inside MSC Elsa 3, there are still:
- 365 tonnes of heavy fuel oil
- 60 tonnes of diesel
- History shows potential for severe environmental damage, as seen with the Chennai oil spill in 2017.
Response and Preparedness
- Salvers are being engaged following international insurance protocols.
- The National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) names the Coast Guard as the lead agency for response.
- In the past, responses were delayed, as seen in Chennai, but Kerala has time to prepare effectively.
Future Implications
With India's plans for economic growth and increased ship traffic, this incident tests the country's preparedness for maritime disasters and its ability to handle future challenges effectively.