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A significant environmental threat has arisen off the Kerala coast due to the sinking of the Liberian-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 in the early hours of May 25, approximately 38 nautical miles from Kochi. As the vessel nearly sank completely in the Arabian Sea, governmental authorities and marine experts are still working tirelessly to find a solution to this situation.
The ship, transporting 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel, 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, and 640 containers—13 of which contained hazardous goods and one contained calcium carbide—capsized due to significant flooding in one of its holds.
However, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Indian Navy effectively rescued all 24 crew members in an exemplary collaborative effort.
The ICG has announced a series of proactive measures, in line with international standards. It has deployed its pollution response ship, Saksham, and is using aircraft equipped with advanced oil spill mapping technology to closely monitor and manage the situation in the area.
On May 25 night, three ships utilised infrared cameras to navigate poor visibility and assess the extent of the oil spill. A Dornier aircraft, equipped with advanced pollution response technology, has arrived in Kochi from Chennai. Defence officials report that a ship is on its way from Mumbai to assist in managing the oil spill.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued urgent warnings to the public in Ernakulam’s neighbouring districts of Alappuzha and Kollam. They have advised against touching or approaching any containers or materials that may wash ashore.
Ernakulam district collector N S K Umesh highlighted to Down To Earth (DTE) the potential risk of marine gas oil and very low-sulpur fuel oil (VLSFO) leaking into the sea. Such leaks could severely harm the region’s ecologically sensitive and tourist-rich coastline. He mentioned that officials and experts have been assigned to implement high-quality containment measures to minimise the adverse effects of any leaks on the local community.
Calcium carbide, or calcium acetylide, is a colourless solid with the chemical formula CaC2. It is chiefly used to generate acetylene gas, a crucial raw material in the chemical industry for synthesising various organic compounds.
When calcium carbide comes into contact with water, it undergoes a highly exothermic reaction, generating acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide.
The heat released during this reaction can be significant, and the acetylene gas formed is extremely flammable, posing safety hazards if not properly controlled.
The calcium hydroxide produced increases water’s alkalinity, which can disrupt aquatic ecosystems by altering pH levels. This change is crucial for aquatic organisms’ health, reproduction, and survival. Additionally, releasing acetylene gas into water sources can negatively affect water quality, especially in bodies of water designated for drinking or agricultural use.
Floating containers have already been spotted drifting away from the wreck, and some are expected to reach the shores south of the incident spot in the coming days.
Fishers and coastal residents have been urged to remain vigilant and immediately report any container or oil residue sightings.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of Kerala’s marine environment’s vulnerability to shipping accidents. Experts warn that a significant spill could have devastating effects on marine life, fisheries, and the livelihoods of local communities.
“We have a materials safety data sheet and a list of the containers. No attempt will be made to determine the nature of the substances in the containers. The salvage master from the shipping company is expected to arrive today. Localised storage may begin until the salvage master arrives and assumes responsibility for transportation,” said Sekhar Kuriakose, member secretary of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority.
Shipping companies hire salvage masters to oversee operations after accidents, recover cargo, and support vessels. The ICG, currently working to contain an oil spill, estimates that the oil has spread over a radius of approximately four kilometres from the accident site.
According to a press release from the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Customs in the Thiruvananthapuram Zone, “At the time of the incident, none of the goods on board had been duty-paid, making any unauthorised removal or theft of these goods illegal. Customs Marine and Preventive units have been deployed along the Kerala coast, and surveillance is ongoing in coordination with other agencies.”
Customs officials have announced that the containers washed ashore after the accident will be seized and returned to the appropriate parties once they have presented the required documentation.
Although the likelihood of an oil spill near the shore is low, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is not adequately prepared to handle such a situation. PCB Chairperson Sreekala S stated that the board currently lacks an oil spill contingency plan, highlighting the urgency of the matter. “We are still in the process of finalising the tender and evaluating the report,” Sreekala said.
When asked about the standard operating procedure for handling containers filled with hazardous substances washed ashore, Sreekala explained that the respective district collectors would decide. “Our officers are stationed in Alappuzha and Kollam. After holding meetings, the district collectors will determine the procedure for addressing the containers,” she added.
The KSPCB considers the absence of a contingency plan for addressing oil spills off the Kerala coast to be a significant failure.
Experts in disaster management have highlighted that efforts to prepare this contingency plan began in 2016, making it surprising that it has not yet been finalised. KSPCB records indicate that in June 2016, the additional chief secretary for environment convened a meeting to assess the preparedness of major hazard units for handling chemical accidents. During this meeting, it was decided that the KSPCB, in collaboration with the Central Coast Guard, would develop an oil spill emergency plan for the state.
In October 2016, an expression of interest was issued, and a committee was established to oversee the preparation of a comprehensive plan. This project aimed to develop a shipboard pollution emergency plan, a tactical oil spill response plan, a marine emergency response plan, and a crisis management plan. The plan also included components for shoreline response operations and shoreline oil spill response.
“Although the tender was issued, there were differing opinions regarding the cost estimate, which led us to proceed with a retender,” Sreekala explained, noting the delay in formulating the oil contingency plan.
According to the terms of reference prepared to emphasise the need for an oil spill contingency plan, the entire coast of Kerala is at risk of oil spill disasters due to its proximity to an international oil transportation route. Nine of the state’s 14 districts are considered oil spill-prone. The presence of oil tankers and other ships visiting Kerala’s ports threatens the coastal areas, especially during accidents that may release bunker fuel or oil cargo.
The contingency plan has been created to address marine oil spills within 12 nautical miles (24 km) of Kerala’s coastline and along river systems extending 40 kilometres inland or up to the point of tidal effect, whichever distance is greater. Since oil slicks can reach various areas along the Kerala coast, the chief minister’s office has issued an alert for the entire coastal region.