Kerala: Efforts continue to remove 54 containers washed ashore
Around 17 containers washed ashore were removed from the Kollam and
Thiruvananthapuram coasts.
The removal of containers is being done by the Waterline Shipping appointed by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The Waterline Shipping has already removed 13 from Kollam and four from Thiruvananthapuram shores.
However, fishermen complained that manual cleaning of plastic pellets, came off sacks and swamped the coast in many areas, is slow.
The 184-metre-long ship built in Germany in 1997 was carrying 640 containers, including 13 containing hazardous materials. Over 100 containers are reported to have been lost at sea, and several have washed ashore in Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram.
The vessel was carrying 367.1 tonnes of Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and 84.44 tonnes of marine diesel fuel.
UNI DS SS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
The right way to eat sushi: How to eat nigiri, sashimi, and rolls and enjoy every bite
Whether it's buttery slices of sashimi, perfectly seasoned nigiri, or vibrant sushi rolls bursting with textures, sushi is more than just food, it's an art form with centuries of tradition. To fully appreciate it, it's necessary to understand the proper way to eat each type, not just for flavor, but out of respect for the craftsmanship behind every bite. From how you handle your chopsticks to the way you dip in soy sauce (yes, there's a wrong way), these details matter more than you might think. But before we get into the nitty gritties, let us understand what sushi is and what are the different types. At its core, sushi refers to vinegared rice paired with other ingredients like raw fish, vegetables, or egg. The roots of sushi go deep — born in Japan as a way to preserve fish, it has evolved into a refined culinary tradition with specific ways to prepare, present, and enjoy each bite. Sashimi Thinly sliced raw (or occasionally cooked) fish or seafood, served without rice. It's all about freshness and purity, typically enjoyed with soy sauce, wasabi, or ponzu. Examples: Sake (salmon), Maguro (tuna), Uni (sea urchin), Unagi (grilled eel), Tako (octopus). Nigiri A hand-formed mound of vinegared rice topped with raw or cooked seafood, sometimes with wasabi in between. Meant to be eaten in one bite. Examples: Ebi (shrimp), Sake (salmon), Hotate (scallop), Tamago (sweet egg). Maki (Makizushi) Sushi rolls made by layering seaweed (nori), rice, and fillings, then rolled and sliced into bite-sized pieces. Examples: Hosomaki(Thin roll with one filling), Tekka Maki(Tuna roll), Futomaki(Thick roll with multiple fillings), Kappa Maki(Cucumber roll) How to eat sushi the right way Eating sushi isn't about strict rules, it's about intention and respect. Here's how to enjoy every bite without overthinking it. Sashimi Sashimi should always be eaten with chopsticks, never your hands. Dip lightly into soy sauce just enough to enhance, not overpower. A small dab of wasabi in the soy sauce is fine. Eat sashimi first if you're ordering multiple types, its clean flavors prepare your palate for the rest. Nigiri Nigiri is ideally eaten with your hands. Flip it upside down so the fish (not the rice) touches the soy sauce. This keeps the rice from falling apart and prevents it from absorbing too much salt. Place the piece in your mouth fish-side down so the flavors hit your tongue first. Don't add extra wasabi unless the chef suggests it, most nigiri already has some. Maki Rolls Use chopsticks or hands — either is fine. For hand rolls, take a bite from one end, then rotate and bite from the other to keep it intact. Rolls are generally dipped lightly into soy sauce, unless they're already sauced by the chef. Avoid piling on ginger or wasabi, they're not toppings. Ginger is a palate cleanser between pieces, not a garnish. Further etiquette tips include: Sushi should be enjoyed immediately after it's served, especially hand rolls, where the nori can become soggy. Chefs prepare sushi as it's meant to be eaten. Asking for more soy sauce or wasabi implies the dish is incomplete. Conversation should be hushed, especially at a traditional sushi bar. Respect the chef and the food. If you're served piece by piece, follow the chef's lead. There's often a reason for the order, from lighter to richer flavors. Light dipping is fine, soaking the rice or fish overwhelms the balance of the bite. Contrary to what some say, drinking sake with sushi isn't a faux pas. It is a personal preference.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Greenpeace, civil society groups demand urgent action for making MSC pay for environment damage, livelihood loss
Greenpeace India along with civil society groups representing coastal and fishing communities on Monday (July 28, 2025) demanded urgent action to make the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) pay for the environmental damage and livelihood loss caused by the sinking of its Liberian-flagged vessel, the MSC Elsa 3, off the Kerala coast in May. A White Paper released here outlined the potential ecological and socio-economic impacts of the shipwreck that occurred 14.6 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi on May 25 and its far-reaching consequences, which has since, the organisations said, spiralled into a 'multi-dimensional environmental and human crisis.' The White Paper, covering the period from May 25 to June 25, sought to highlight the different dimensions of the damage including widespread nurdle (plastic pellet) contamination along the coasts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. 'This is not just an accident. This is corporate negligence,' the document said. It demanded full transparency on the cargo manifest of the sunken ship and called on MSC to support rapid clean-up response and an independent impact assessment. It also wanted the company to engage in a 'comprehensive, up-to-scale compensation plan for the loss of livelihoods and biodiversity resulting from the shipwreck.' The document noted that oil spill, hydrocarbon contamination and hazardous chemical leaks pose immediate and significant threats to marine life, food chains and fisheries. The microplastic pollution caused by the spillage of nurdles (plastic pellets) poses another significant threat, the document said. Large amounts of microplastic pellets (nurdles) less than 5 mm in size have washed ashore along the Kerala coast and drifted to ecologically sensitive areas like the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve and roughly 80 km to 600 km along the coastline of Sri Lanka, it said. The White Paper observed that incidents such as the MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck pose significant long-term environmental consequences and present formidable recovery challenges. Damaged ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds take a very long time to recover, if at all, it said. Nurdles and other plastic debris are non-biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Economic hardships 'The long-term impact on the fishing and tourism industries can be devastating, leading to prolonged economic hardship for coastal communities. Legal battles for compensation, as seen with the X-Press Pearl disaster (off Sri Lanka in 2021), can be lengthy and complex, often resulting in insufficient redress for the affected parties,' the document noted. Further, the document underscored the 'critical need' for more stringent regulations, better enforcement, improved monitoring, and enhanced international cooperation and training for emergency responders. ' These incidents expose shortcomings in national and international regulations and emergency response protocols, it said. Vicar General of Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram Eugene Pereira, Greenpeace India programme director Divya Raghunandan, Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation president Jackson Pollayil, Coastal Students Cultural Forum president Rethin Antony and Mercy Alexander of Coastal Watch were present.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck: Greenpeace India, civil society groups seek action to make shipping firm pay relief for environmental damage, livelihood loss
Greenpeace India, along with civil society groups representing coastal and fishing communities, on Monday (July 28, 2025) demanded urgent action to make the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) pay for the environmental damage and livelihood loss caused by the sinking of its Liberian-flagged vessel, the MSC Elsa 3, off the Kerala coast in May 2025. A White Paper released in Thiruvananthapuram outlined the potential ecological and socio-economic impacts of the shipwreck that occurred 14.6 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi on May 25 and its consequences, observing that these have since spiralled into a 'multi-dimensional environmental and human crisis.' The White Paper, covering the period from May 25 to June 25, sought to highlight the different dimensions of the damage, including widespread nurdle (plastic pellet) contamination along the coasts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and even Sri Lanka. The document also outlined the severe livelihood disruptions for fisherfolk and growing concerns for marine biodiversity in the region. 'Corporate negligence' 'This is not just an accident. This is corporate negligence,' the document said. It demanded full transparency on the cargo manifest of the sunken ship and called on MSC to support rapid clean-up response and an independent impact assessment. It also wanted the company to engage in a 'comprehensive, up-to-scale compensation plan for the loss of livelihoods and biodiversity resulting from the shipwreck.' The document noted that oil spill, hydrocarbon contamination and hazardous chemical leaks pose immediate and significant threats to marine life, food chains and fisheries. 'Oil slicks can smother sensitive coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, estuaries and mudflats which are crucial breeding and feeding grounds for numerous marine and avian species,' it noted. The microplastic pollution caused by the spillage of nurdles (plastic pellets) poses another significant threat, the document said. 'Large amounts of microplastic pellets less than 5 mm in size have washed ashore along the Kerala coast (e.g., Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha) and drifted to ecologically sensitive areas suchh as the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve and roughly 80 km to 600 km along the coastline of Sri Lanka. Nurdles are primary microplastics that can absorb toxic chemicals from seawater and are frequently mistaken as food by marine animals (fish, seabirds, sea turtles), leading to internal injuries, starvation, and exposure to absorbed toxins,' it said. The White Paper observed that incidents such as the MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck pose significant long-term environmental consequences and present formidable recovery challenges. Damaged ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds, take a very long time to recover, if at all, it said. Nurdles and other plastic debris are non-biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. They break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, entering the food web and potentially impacting human health through seafood consumption. Long-term impact 'The long-term impact on the fishing and tourism industries can be devastating, leading to prolonged economic hardship for coastal communities. Legal battles for compensation, as seen with the X-Press Pearl disaster (off Sri Lanka in 2021), can be lengthy and complex, often resulting in insufficient redress for the affected parties,' the document noted. Further, the White Paper underscored the 'critical need' for more stringent regulations, better enforcement, improved monitoring, and enhanced international cooperation and training for emergency responders. These incidents expose shortcomings in national and international regulations, emergency response protocols, and the capacity to handle large-scale maritime environmental disasters,' it said. Vicar General of Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram Eugene Pereira, Greenpeace India programme director Divya Raghunandan, Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation president Jackson Pollayil, Coastal Students Cultural Forum president Rethin Antony and Mercy Alexander of Coastal Watch were among those present.
