Technical failure in ballast water management could have led to sinking of ship, say officials
Preliminary findings of the probe into the sinking of container vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast with 640 containers on board point to technical failure in ballast water management, which in turn caused the ship to tilt over 20 degrees and sink, officials of the Shipping Ministry and the Mercantile Marine department (MMD) said here on Wednesday.
The officials included Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan; Nautical Advisor to the Government of India Capt. Abul Kalam Azad, Chief Surveyor of the Directorate General of Shipping Ajith Sukumaran, and Principal Officer of the MMD's Kochi office J. Senthil Kumar.
Mr. Jagannathan said none of the 50 containers that were washed ashore along the 120-km coastline of Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram during the past few days had any hazardous cargo like calcium carbide. Most containers were empty, while the others had cotton bales and plastic pellets. The containers will be recovered in two days and disposed of.
'No sabotage'
The prime focus now is on recovering oil and other pollutants from the vessel, followed by containers which are said to have cargo like ethylene polymers. The ship's owner firm MSC has roped in global firms with expertise in retrieving such cargo, while the Indian Coast Guard's specialised oil spill response team has been deployed to prevent damage to marine resources. There are internationally binding norms to settle insurance claims and compensate fishers from the Kerala coast for their loss of livelihood, he said and added that prima facie there was no reason to suspect sabotage.
Terming the sinking incident as the largest along the Indian coast, Mr. Sukumaran said that preliminary inference pointed to mechanical failure in ballast water management, a safety precaution that is taken in all ships to overcome the effect of 'rolling and pitching' while on the sea, and the subsequent loss of power. This could have been caused by the malfunctioning of the ballast management valves.
Old ships
On several shipping firms deploying old vessels to Indian ports (the sunk ship was 28 years old), he said many stakeholders had expressed concern about the matter. Steps were under way to revise safety and other norms in this regard.
The officials said that although the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) had not issued any age-related norms for ships, there were concerns about the operational efficiency of older vessels.
Mr. Azad explained how a team of salvage specialists, naval architects, chemists, oil spill specialists, and divers was deployed to salvage the vessel and the containers, and to contain the effects of oil spillage and pollution. A total of four tugs have been mobilised as part of this. On the delay in officially declaring the contents of 13 containers having 'hazardous' cargo, he said the owner of the ship had said that they contained 'rubber chemicals' which were non-hazardous.
While five of them were on the ship's deck, eight were secured within the vessel's 'cargo hold' area. According to the plan, oil spill in the vicinity of the sinking spot can be cleared by July 3. The ship was carrying 367 tonnes of very low sulfur fuel oil and 84 tonnes of marine diesel fuel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
17 women march into history as NDA's first co-ed batch graduates
17 women march into history as NDA's first co-ed batch graduates Sandip Dighe TNN May 30, 2025, 14:47 IST IST They were teenagers when they walked into one of India's toughest military academies. On May 30, they passed out as officer cadets from NDA — a moment that marks not just personal triumph, but a generational shift in how India's armed forces view gender, grit, and command The National Defence Academy's 148th course is an interesting one; it is the 76-year-old institute's first co-ed batch. On May 30, its 17 women cadets took their place at the frontlines of the prestigious passing-out parade — not as participants, as they did in the last four parades, but as military officers in the making. The day before the parade, Cadet Shriti Daksh was busy preparing her uniform for the big day. She made sure that absolutely nothing was out of place, not even a thread or shoelace. The entire country will be watching, she knew, as she and her 16 course mates — among the first women who will go on to serve permanent commissions in the Indian military — go past the 'Antim Pag' of the massive Arun Khetrapal parade ground at NDA in Pune's Khadakwasla.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Kochi shipwreck: Plastic pellets, container drift to Kanniyakumari shores; activists raise concerns
Following the discovery of several bags of tiny plastic pellets along the shores of coastal villages in the Western part of Kanniyakumari district on Wednesday (May 28), a container from the sunken Liberian ship was found washed ashore between the the shores of Kodimunai and Vaniyakudi on Thursday. The Liberian cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3, which departed from Vizhinjam harbour, sank off the Kochi coast on Sunday (May 25, 2025). Initially, the containers and cargo from the ship began washing ashore along the coastline of Kerala. However, since Wednesday (May 28), due to ocean currents and monsoon winds, the containers and cargos are being eventually drifted towards the waters of Kanniyakumari. As part of the unfolding situation, a container was found washed ashore between the coastal villages Kodimunai and Vaniyakudi near Colachel. Speaking to The Hindu, Kanniyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena said, 'The information has been reported and an expert team from the shipping company in Gujarat is on its way to recover the drifted item from the shore.' She added that officials from the Revenue Department and Police department have been deployed for the security of the container. Ms. Alagumeena noted that the efforts to clear the plastic pellets along the coastal areas had been continuing for the second consecutive day. Meanwhile, fishermen and activists had raised their concerns about the scattered plastic pellets along the coastal areas of Kanniykaumari and the submerged containers drifting in the sea. Fr. Churchill from South Asian Fishermen Fraternity highlighted the threat posed by submerged containers which could damage the fishing nets and boats during fishing activities. Additionally, since these containers might float in the sea at night, Mr. Churchill noted the heightened risk of collision, causing significant damage or even the sinking of fishing boats. Another activist Justin Antony stressed the need for urgent war-footing measures to clean up the plastic pellets along the shoreline. He pointed out that the livelihood of at least three fishermen families often depends on a single country boat, and urged the authorities to take immediate action to remove the submerged containers in the waters of Kanniyakumari.
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
Explore The Rare And Unique Flora And Fauna Of Mysuru
Throughout its historic history Mysuru city stands out as a site of notable landmarks and festival celebrations and possesses diverse ecological wealth. The southern region of Karnataka in India provides Mysuru with its home base which surrounds the city with verdant forests of serene lakes and picturesque rolling hills that protect distinct ecological systems. This particular area houses unique flora and fauna along with several species which appear exclusively in this district. This piece presents information about uncommon natural assets in Mysuru by focusing on seven distinct features about the unique wildlife species found in the area. 1. The Iconic Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans) Indian star tortoises represent one of the extraordinary reptile species in the vicinity of Mysuru. This species holds a unique shell pattern that looks like stars and exists only within the Indian subcontinent. These sluggish reptiles find their optimal living environment within the scrublands and grassy regions that circle Mysuru. The ornamental shell of the Indian star tortoise has led to its increasing risk from being stolen from the wild through illegal wildlife trade operations. The region devotes attention to preserving natural territories of these animals and educates the local residents about their importance. 2. The Enigmatic Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus) The slender loris exists as a small primate that spends nocturnal hours in the deciduous forests surrounding Mysuru. The rare animal has big round eyes accompanied by long legs which helps in maintaining ecosystem health while managing insect populations. The survival of these animals faces serious danger from the separating of habitats that urban developments create. Organizations alongside local government institutions design conservation programs which create habitat links between separated wildlife jurisdiction points to provide security for sensitive animals. 3. The Majestic Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus) A bird species identified as the Malabar pied hornbill exists in the Mysuru area because of its unique combination of black and white feathers and its large casque. The natural habitat of these birds is tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and serves as their principal ecosystem for seed dispersal activities. These hornbill species manage to exist at steady numbers although deforestation and hunting continue to impact them negatively. The organisms receive protection from ongoing forestation activities and wildlife-protection work. 4. The Endangered Cycas circinalis (Queen Sago Palm) Cycas circinalis stands as one of the rare plant species that naturally grows in this area under the local name Queen Sago Palm. The ancient gymnosperm plant exists within a plant group that predates most plant life on Earth while retaining great botanical importance. The growth environment of this species includes rocky landscapes and lateritic ground found throughout Mysuru. Although hardy this species faces imminent danger because people have removed too many specimens for medication and decorative purposes. Botanical gardens implement ex-situ conservation programs to achieve genetic species preservation while fostering sustainable techniques. 5. The Vibrant Nilgiri Marten (Martes gwatkinsii) The Nilgiri marten which belongs to the weasel family serves as a carnivorous mammal that inhabits Mysuru's bordering dense forest fields. This adaptable hunter possesses a distinctive appearance featuring a brown fur texture with a yellow throat area and preys upon rodents and birds together with fruits. While the creature remains secretive and hard to spot it has been accidentally recorded by research cameras installed throughout its habitat. Habitat destruction together with wildlife-human conflicts cause significant threats to its population numbers. The mitigation of these problems advances through enhancements of protected areas while developing eco-tourism initiatives. 6. The Exquisite Blue Vanda Orchid (Vanda coerulea) People who love orchids frequently visit the Mysuru-close Western Ghats to view the spectacular Blue Vanda orchid. The epiphytic orchid Vanda coerulea grows with its vivid blue flowers attached to tree branches in humid forest areas. The species faces extinction risk because of illegal horticultural activities and habitat destruction. Nurseries focused on sustainable orchid cultivation now offer enthusiasts the chance to cultivate these flowers without endangering natural wild orchid populations. 7. The Unique Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) The mugger crocodile which people call marsh crocodile inhabits the water bodies surrounding Mysuru especially Kukkarahalli Lake. This freshwater fish species maintains vital positions in aquatic ecosystems which both controls fish communities and protects water purity. The life of these animals becomes threatened by water pollution, habitat loss and water level variations. The local conservation community dedicates themselves consistently to purify lakes together with wetlands restoration because it helps create areas where reptiles can succeed. Conclusion The area surrounding Mysuru maintains an extensive collection of scarce plant and animal species that operate individually to secure the well-being of their environment. The survival of biodiversity depends on protecting species such as the Indian star tortoise and the lively Blue Vanda orchid among others. The creatures face various challenges which include habitat destruction together with poaching incidents. Ultimately the survival of these exceptional life forms depends on joint actions that unite local communities with NGOs and government agencies. the pornosphere must combine increased awareness with effective conservation methods to safeguard Mysuru's natural heritage for future generations. Mysuru's extraordinary plant and animal species remind the public about the complex relationship of life and the duty to safeguard our natural world. Society needs to protect these irreplaceable wonders immediately to prevent their extinction from the Earth.
