Kochi: Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan confirmed on Friday that the removal of bunker oil from the sunken Liberian-flagged container ship MSC Elsa-3, which sank off the Kerala coast on May 25, 2025, has been successfully completed. The vessel has now been officially declared a wreck.

Successful Salvage Operation

Jagannathan stated that the entire hot tapping operation to extract over 300 metric tonnes of furnace oil and diesel from the submerged ship was carried out under the supervision of the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), and has been a success. “The major risk of an oil spill has been completely eliminated,” he said, adding that the preliminary environmental threat posed by the 367.1 tonnes of furnace oil and 84.44 tonnes of diesel onboard has been nullified.

Wreck and Environmental Concerns

The MSC Elsa-3 sank approximately 14.6 nautical miles off Thottappally in Alappuzha district after developing a severe list while en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi. The vessel was carrying 643 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials—12 containing calcium carbide and one with organic chemicals. Calcium carbide reacts violently with water, releasing flammable gas, posing a serious environmental hazard.

Following the sinking, around 50 containers drifted and washed ashore in districts like Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram, prompting a high alert from the Kerala government, which declared the incident a state-specific disaster. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy conducted a coordinated rescue, saving all 24 crew members.

Next Steps

With the oil removal complete, India is now focusing on two key aspects under the Wreck and Salvage Convention: compensation claims and the physical removal of the wreck. The Fort Kochi Coastal Police have registered an FIR against the ship’s master and crew for navigation errors and environmental negligence. The government has opted to prioritise damage recovery and insurance claims over immediate legal action to preserve evidence.

Jagannathan emphasised that the salvage operation marks a significant milestone in India’s maritime disaster response, showcasing improved capabilities in handling complex underwater operations. The focus now shifts to long-term ecological monitoring and ensuring accountability from the shipping company.

With inputs from PTI