In a serious maritime incident that raised environmental and safety concerns along the Kerala coastline, a Liberia-flagged container vessel named MSC ELSA 3 capsized approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi on the morning of May 25, 2025. The 184-metre-long container ship, which was carrying a total of 640 containers including hazardous cargo, developed a dangerous tilt the previous day before sinking. The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy carried out a swift and coordinated operation that ensured the safe rescue of all 24 crew members onboard, averting any immediate human casualties.
The vessel, operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), was en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi when it encountered trouble. On Saturday, May 24, the ship began tilting at an angle of about 26 degrees. The sharp list occurred while the vessel was navigating through the Arabian Sea, leading to an emergency distress call. This triggered a rapid response from Indian maritime authorities, with the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) in Kochi launching a coordinated search and rescue mission.
The Indian Coast Guard deployed a Dornier aircraft for aerial reconnaissance, which soon spotted liferafts with survivors. Multiple vessels were then diverted to the scene, including two Indian Coast Guard patrol ships and merchant ships MV Han Yi and MSC Silver 2. These ships assisted in the evacuation of the crew. By late evening on Saturday, 21 crew members had been safely rescued. They included nationals from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines. The remaining three crew members, including the ship’s captain, a Russian national, the chief engineer, and the second engineer, stayed aboard the ship to support salvage efforts and to assess the developing situation.
However, conditions continued to deteriorate overnight. As the vessel’s stability worsened, the three remaining crew members were forced to abandon ship early on Sunday morning. The Indian Navy ship INS Sujata, which had been monitoring the situation nearby, immediately responded and successfully rescued the trio. According to official communication released around noon on Sunday by the Ministry of Defence, the ship ultimately sank at approximately 7:50 am on May 25, 2025.
The vessel was carrying 640 containers, of which 13 were confirmed to hold hazardous cargo. Among them, 12 containers held calcium carbide, a chemical compound that can react with water to produce flammable gas. In addition to this, the ship was loaded with 84.44 metric tonnes of marine gas oil and 367.1 metric tonnes of very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO). The presence of these substances on board raised serious concerns about the potential for marine pollution, especially given the ecologically sensitive waters off the Kerala coast.
In anticipation of environmental risks, the Indian Coast Guard has placed its pollution response systems on full alert. Aerial surveillance is being conducted using Coast Guard aircraft fitted with advanced oil spill detection technology. Additionally, Coast Guard vessel Saksham, equipped with pollution-response apparatus, remains on-site to monitor the situation and react swiftly in the event of an oil spill. As of now, no spill has been officially reported, though environmental agencies remain vigilant.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) responded promptly to the threat posed by the drifting and submerged containers. On Saturday evening, the KSDMA issued a public advisory warning coastal residents, fishermen, and beachgoers to avoid contact with any containers or unfamiliar materials that may wash ashore. These materials, especially the ones containing calcium carbide or fuel oils, pose chemical hazards and could endanger human health. Authorities have directed that any such discoveries be immediately reported to coastal police stations or the emergency services number 112.
Coastal districts including Kochi, Thrissur, and Alappuzha have been placed on high alert. Cleanup and emergency response teams are standing by, prepared to act swiftly if hazardous materials begin to wash up along the shoreline. Enhanced coastal surveillance is underway to track the movement of drifting containers and detect any oil slicks that may appear. Given the weather conditions and current patterns in the Arabian Sea, the possibility of material reaching the coast remains.
The ship had left Vizhinjam Port on May 23 and was expected to dock in Kochi the following day. At around 1:25 p.m. on May 24, the Mediterranean Shipping Company notified Indian maritime authorities of the vessel’s instability. The immediate mobilization of Indian Coast Guard and Navy assets reflects the preparedness and efficiency of India’s maritime emergency infrastructure. The successful rescue of all 24 crew members, including nationals from multiple countries, highlights the effectiveness of this coordinated response.
Investigations are underway to determine the precise cause of the vessel’s listing and eventual capsizing. The structural failure that led to the sudden tilt has not yet been explained, and maritime authorities are working to gather data from the surviving crew and tracking equipment to understand what went wrong. Technical experts from the shipping company, along with Indian maritime authorities, are expected to examine the possibility of towing the wreckage or managing the submerged containers to prevent long-term environmental impact.
The vessel MSC ELSA 3, identified by IMO number 9123221, was built nearly three decades ago and registered under the Liberian flag. Though aging, the ship had been in active service and had made several recent port calls to Vizhinjam. It had been operating under its current name since 2015. Given its age and the nature of its cargo, questions may arise regarding the safety protocols followed and the overall condition of the ship at the time of departure.
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard continue to maintain a presence at the site of the incident. Their primary focus remains on environmental safety and preventing damage to marine life and coastal ecosystems. The use of drones, helicopters, and naval divers is being considered for better visibility and real-time monitoring of the underwater wreckage and drifting cargo. Any recovery effort will depend on sea conditions, the depth at which the vessel has sunk, and the threat level posed by the materials onboard.
Public cooperation has been emphasized by the authorities. As the situation develops, people living along the coast are being urged to remain vigilant. Any contact with unknown items washing ashore must be avoided due to the high risk of chemical contamination. The police and disaster management units are working together to ensure public safety and issue updates as needed.
In the days ahead, a thorough investigation will likely be conducted to identify whether mechanical failure, overloading, mismanagement of cargo, or adverse sea conditions played a role in the incident. International collaboration may also be needed to retrieve lost cargo and contain any long-term environmental damage. India’s maritime agencies are expected to submit detailed reports and recommendations once the situation has stabilized.
