What happens when a 27-year-old cargo ship carrying hazardous materials meets the Arabian Sea? Disaster, diesel, and a dash of déjà vu.
In a maritime incident straight from the script of “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”, the MSC ELSA 3, a Liberian-flagged container ship built back in 1997, sank 38 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi, India, while en route from Vizhinjam. Aboard: 640 containers, 13 of which contained hazardous materials—including calcium carbide, a substance that reacts explosively with water.
Yes, water. The thing ships sail on.
When the Ocean Strikes Back
The MSC ELSA 3 isn’t the first ship to go down, but its timing and toxic payload couldn’t be worse. As monsoon winds gear up, the ship’s belly of hazardous materials—including 367.1 tonnes of furnace oil and 12 containers of calcium carbide—is now part of the Arabian Sea’s unwelcome buffet.
All 24 crew members were rescued safely by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard—no loss of life, thankfully. But with containers washing ashore across Kerala’s Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts, and a sheen of oil slowly painting the sea, environmentalists, fisheries, and shipping regulators are in full crisis mode.
A Rusty Ship and a Risky Load
Date: 25 May 2025
Location: 38 nautical miles off Kochi, India
Ship: MSC ELSA 3
Flag: Liberia
Built: 1997
Cargo:
- 640 containers total
- 13 hazardous cargo units
- 12 containers of calcium carbide
- 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel
- 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil
After reporting a list to port side, the vessel capsized and sank in rough seas. The cargo included flammable and toxic materials, now dangerously close to Kerala’s thriving coastline.
⚠️ The Fallout: Coastlines, Containers and Clean-ups
- 29 containers have already washed ashore.
- Local authorities and the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) are warning the public: do not touch any washed-up boxes.
- The Indian Coast Guard has deployed three ships and aircraft with pollution control capabilities.
- Environmental concerns are growing—especially with monsoon season looming. The Arabian Sea’s delicate marine ecosystem is under threat, particularly pelagic fish breeding cycles.
🧪 Environmental Concerns: When Chemistry Meets Catastrophe
Calcium Carbide
When calcium carbide meets water, it releases acetylene gas, a highly flammable compound. One leaky container? A chemical mess. Several exposed to ocean water? A potential fireball hazard, especially if ignited near shore.
Marine Oil Spills
The furnace oil and diesel have begun to leak into the sea, prompting fears of:
- Mass fish deaths
- Coral bleaching
- Long-term pollution of fishing zones
The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is now conducting ongoing assessments.
🏚️ Industry Response: Too Old, Too Bold?
Shipping industry experts aren’t mincing words. The MSC ELSA 3 was nearly three decades old and had a known history of mechanical issues. So, why was it still operating, let alone carrying volatile cargo during adverse weather?
This incident has reignited debates about:
- Ageing feeder vessels in international fleets
- Inadequate maintenance
- Lax enforcement of seaworthiness regulations
A History of Risk—Ageing Ships & Environmental Hazards
The MSC ELSA 3 joins a list of ageing vessels involved in high-risk incidents. According to Lloyd’s Register, more than 20% of the global feeder vessel fleet is over 20 years old. Often used in regional shipping routes, these vessels can become floating hazards when poorly maintained.
Case in point: In 2023, the MV X-Press Pearl sank off the coast of Sri Lanka, leaking nitric acid and plastic pellets, causing unprecedented ecological damage. Investigations showed neglect and regulatory blind spots. Sound familiar?
“We dodged a human tragedy—but the ecological one may have only just begun.”
— Marine Biologist, Kerala Fisheries Research Unit
Shipping might be global, but its consequences are local. If a vessel is too old to be safe and too toxic to sink, it shouldn’t be out there.
Regulators, operators, and insurers must act—before the next rust bucket meets a coastline near you.
