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Khaleej Times
26-05-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Video: Kerala on high alert after vessel with hazardous cargo sinks off coast, causes oil spill
Authorities in the southern Indian state of Kerala were scrambling to contain an oil spill on Monday after a container vessel sank, leaking fuel into the Arabian Sea and releasing 100 cargo containers into the water. The Liberia-flagged MSC ELSA3 ship was travelling from Vizhinjam on India's southern tip to Kochi when it capsized about 38 nautical miles off Kerala on Saturday, officials said, adding that all 24 crew members had been rescued. The entire ship has since been "submerged", the Kerala chief minister's office said in a statement on Sunday without elaborating on the cause of the incident. "The Coast Guard is taking steps to block the oil with two ships. A Dornier aircraft is also being used to spray oil-destroying powder on the oil slick," the statement said. The vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with "hazardous cargo" and 12 with calcium carbide, the Indian coast guard said, without disclosing the contents of the containers that fell into the sea. Cyprus-based MSC Ship management, which owns the vessel, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Kerala coast has been put on high alert, with local coastal bodies instructed not to touch or go near the containers — some of which began washing up on beaches on Monday — and fishermen advised not to venture into the sea. Authorities in the state's Kollam region have encouraged people living nearby to move to safer places. Accidental oil spills in the ocean can have far-reaching effects, putting marine ecosystems to the local fishing industry at risk. The collision of a BW LPG vessel and a local ship carrying heavy fuel oil caused a similar oil spill in 2017 near the southern city of Chennai, which harmed aquatic life and affected the livelihood of thousands of fishermen.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Coast Guard rescues crew as Liberian cargo ship lists sharply off Kochi
MUMBAI: A large-scale rescue operation was launched on Saturday by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) after MSC ELSA 3, a Liberian cargo ship, listed dangerously on Friday, approximately 38 nautical miles southwest off Kochi. The ICG is headquartered in Mumbai. At around 1.25 pm on Saturday, the vessel's operator, MSC Ship Management, informed Indian authorities about the incident and sought immediate assistance. The ICG swiftly initiated rescue efforts, deploying ships and aircraft in the vicinity to provide aerial support. To support the evacuation process, ICG aircraft dropped additional life rafts near the distressed ship. Of the 24 crew members on board, 21 abandoned the vessel and got onto life rafts. Nine were rescued and put aboard a Singaporean vessel, Han Yi, while 12 were put on Arnvesh, an ICG ship. Coast Guard officials on Saturday night said they were planning to rescue the captain, chief engineer and second engineer who remained on board. 'They were reluctant to leave because they will be required once the salvage starts,' said Coast Guard inspector-general (West) Bhisham Sharma. 'We have told them that we can let them board again if the need arises.' The director-general of shipping, in coordination with ICG, issued directives to the MSC Ship Management to provide urgent salvage services for the vessel. The developing situation on Saturday was being monitored closely by the ICG to prevent loss of life and damage to the environment, said a press note. 'When we got the first call, we sent our Dornier plane from Kochi to survey the situation,' said IG Bhisham Sharma. 'Coast Guard and other ships were also sent to the spot and 21 crew members were rescued. Containers on top of the ship had fallen down and were floating. This is a navigational hazard, as some ships could dash against them. We have alerted the local administration and issued warnings to other ships.' Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Shipping, in coordination with the Coast Guard, directed the vessel's managers to arrange for urgent salvage services to stabilise the situation. This was confirmed by Sharma. Captain Mahendra Bhasin did not respond to calls from this newspaper.
Times of Oman
25-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
21 crew rescued after Liberian container ship tilts off Kochi coast
Kochi: Twenty-one crew members were rescued after the Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 developed a severe 26-degree tilt on Saturday, approximately 38 nautical miles southwest (Nm SW) of Kochi. As of 8.00 pm, 21 crew members had been rescued, and three crew members (Captain, Chief Engg, and 2nd Engg) remained onboard to facilitate planned salvage operations. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships and aircraft continue to coordinate and monitor the situation. Some containers have fallen overboard due to the vessel's tilt. According to officials, "Risk assessment is in progress. All efforts are being made to maintain the vessel's stability." The 184-metre-long ship had departed Vizhinjam Port on May 23 and was en route to Kochi when the incident occurred on Saturday, May 24. Around 1.25 pm, the vessel's operator, MSC Ship Management, informed Indian authorities about the incident and sought immediate assistance. The ICG swiftly initiated rescue efforts, deploying ships and aircraft in the vicinity to provide aerial support. To support the evacuation process, ICG aircraft have dropped additional liferafts near the distressed container ship. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), in coordination with the Coast Guard, has directed the vessel's managers to arrange for urgent salvage services to stabilise the situation.
India.com
24-05-2025
- General
- India.com
21 Crew Rescued After Liberian Container Ship Tilts Off Kochi Coast
Twenty-one crew members were rescued after the Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 developed a severe 26-degree tilt on Saturday, approximately 38 nautical miles southwest (Nm SW) of Kochi. As of 8.00 pm, 21 crew members had been rescued, and three crew members (Captain, Chief Engg, and 2nd Engg) remained onboard to facilitate planned salvage operations. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships and aircraft continue to coordinate and monitor the situation. Some containers have fallen overboard due to the vessel's tilt. According to officials, "Risk assessment is in progress. All efforts are being made to maintain the vessel's stability." The 184-metre-long ship had departed Vizhinjam Port on May 23 and was en route to Kochi when the incident occurred on Saturday, May 24. Around 1.25 pm, the vessel's operator, MSC Ship Management, informed Indian authorities about the incident and sought immediate assistance. The ICG swiftly initiated rescue efforts, deploying ships and aircraft in the vicinity to provide aerial support. To support the evacuation process, ICG aircraft have dropped additional liferafts near the distressed container ship. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), in coordination with the Coast Guard, has directed the vessel's managers to arrange for urgent salvage services to stabilise the situation.
India.com
24-05-2025
- General
- India.com
Rescue Ops On As Liberian Container Ship Tilts Sharply Off Kochi, 9 Crew Rescued
A large-scale rescue operation is underway after the Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 developed a severe 26-degree tilt approximately 38 nautical miles southwest (Nm SW) of Kochi on Saturday, prompting emergency response from Indian maritime authorities. Nine of the 24 crew members have already evacuated, while the Indian Coast Guard is working to save the remaining 15. The 184-metre-long ship had departed from Vizhinjam Port on May 23 and was expected to reach Kochi on May 24. Around 1.25 pm on Saturday, the vessel's operator, MSC Ship Management, informed Indian authorities about the incident and sought immediate assistance. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) swiftly initiated rescue efforts, deploying ships and aircraft in the vicinity to provide aerial support. Out of the 24 crew members on board, nine have already abandoned the vessel and are currently safe in liferafts. Rescue operations are ongoing to evacuate the remaining 15 crew. To support the evacuation process, ICG aircraft have dropped additional liferafts near the distressed container ship. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), in coordination with the Coast Guard, has directed the vessel's managers to arrange for urgent salvage services to stabilise the situation.
