Recent shipwrecks off Kerala coast a serious threat to marine ecosystem, DG shipping tells Kerala HC

Time of India

6 hours ago

Kochi: The shipwrecks off the Kerala coast pose a serious threat to the marine ecosystem and coastal environment, according to an affidavit filed in the Kerala high court on behalf of the director general of shipping.
The affidavit, submitted by Shitesh Ranjan, ship surveyor-cum-deputy director general (technical) in the office of the mercantile marine department, Kochi, was in response to the PIL filed by former MP T N Prathapan. The petition seeks a comprehensive compensation package for fishermen and other stakeholders affected by the recent shipwrecks off Kerala.
The affidavit highlighted that adrift containers from the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 not only pose a navigational hazard but also constitute a grave environmental risk, especially considering the hazardous nature of some of the cargo.
As per the cargo manifest, the vessel was carrying 13 containers of Class 4.3 dangerous goods under the IMDG Code, specifically, calcium carbide, which is classified as hazardous and environmentally sensitive.
The wreck is situated at a depth of 51 metres near the Indian coastline, and the presence of bunker fuel in the sunken vessel heightens the risk of an oil spill.
As of June 16, a total of 60 containers had been salvaged from various points of the Kerala coastline.
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Importantly, none of them contained IMDG-classified cargo. The affidavit also stated that shoreline clean-up operations are currently being undertaken by the Marine Emergency Response Services (MERC).
Regarding the fire onboard the Singapore-flagged container vessel Wan Hai 503, the affidavit noted that the ship was carrying approximately 143 IMDG-classified containers, including hazardous materials such as flammable liquids, flammable solids, toxic substances, corrosives, and other dangerous goods.
Additionally, the vessel carried around 2,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel oil in tanks near the fire-affected zones.
State seeks 77.08 crore as interim claim
The state govt has sought an interim relief of Rs 77.08 crore in its first interim claim report, in connection with the capsize of cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast. The claim includes compensation for the loss of livelihoods suffered by fishermen between May 25 and June 1.
According to an affidavit filed by environment department special secretary Seeram Sambasiva Rao, Rs 54.93 crore has been claimed for livelihood losses, while Rs 22.15 crore has been sought towards the expenditure incurred in managing the aftermath of the incident. The affidavit further states that the first interim claim report will be forwarded to director general of shipping within three days.