Kochi: The preliminary conclusion of the Directorate General of Shipping suggests that the MSC Elsa cargo ship capsized due to a weight imbalance. Water supposed to flow through the ship’s valves to maintain stability failed due to faulty valves. According to senior officials at a press conference, an investigation will also examine whether human error contributed to the incident.

Shyam Jagannathan, Director of the Directorate General of Shipping, Chief Surveyor Ajit Sukumaran, Nautical Advisor Captain Abdul Kalam Azad, and Senthilkumar Jayaraman, Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Department, participated in the briefing.

The 184-metre-long cargo vessel, flying a Liberian flag, was built in Germany in 1997. It now lies submerged at a depth of approximately 50 metres in the inner sea. Two tugboats have reached the site and are currently carrying out mapping and scanning operations. Two additional tugs are expected to join the effort. Officials clarified that the age of the ship is not considered a factor in the accident.

50 containers washed ashore

The sunken cargo ship was carrying 640 containers. By Wednesday noon, 50 of these had floated ashore at seven different locations along the Kerala coast.

Many of the containers were empty. However, 13 of them held hazardous materials—12 contained calcium carbide, and one contained rubber solution. Five of these 13 hazardous containers have fallen into the sea but have not yet washed ashore. Calcium carbide poses a significant risk when it reacts with water and may also impact the marine ecosystem.

Kerala police may file a case

The delay in filing a case regarding the shipwreck may hinder efforts to secure compensation from the shipping company and other parties involved. Despite the incident occurring four days ago, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered.

The state government has sought legal advice from the Advocate General (AG), citing concerns over the oil spill and containers washing up along the coast. The AG is expected to provide a legal opinion within two days.

Only after an FIR is filed against the shipping company, the captain, and other responsible parties, can authorities demand that the company deposit a fixed amount towards compensation—particularly for losses such as disrupted fishing caused by the oil spill. Geneva-based MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) has yet to issue a public response.

Since the incident occurred within India’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, the Coastal Police have jurisdiction. Additionally, as containers have washed ashore along the Kerala coast, the Kerala Police can also register a case, according to Senior Advocate V.J. Mathew, former Chairman of the Kerala Maritime Board and a maritime law expert.

For any compensation claims to proceed, a thorough investigation is required, including an assessment of the ship’s condition at the time of cargo loading.

No risk in eating fish, says Minister

The Kerala government has stated that there is no danger in consuming seafood, dismissing social media claims that poisonous waste from the shipwreck has contaminated the catch.

Minister Saji Cherian assured the public that discussions with experts and fishing community representatives have confirmed there is currently no threat. “There is no dangerous situation anywhere,” he said following a high-level meeting.

To counter public fear, the government will launch an awareness campaign titled “You Can Eat This Fish.” Union leaders at the meeting also called for a thorough assessment of the losses faced by fishermen and urged the state to request a special compensation package from the central government.