Distressed Container Ship Sinks Near Kochi, Authorities Say No Oil Leak So Far
The Wire Staff
New Delhi: The Union defence ministry on May 25 said that a Liberian-flagged container ship, which had sent out a distress signal the previous day, has sunk off the coast of Kochi. While the vessel was carrying some hazardous cargo, Indian authorities said there were no signs of an oil spill so far.
According to the ministry, the ship MSC ELSA 3 sank around 7.50 am due to flooding.
It was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials and 12 with calcium carbide, along with 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil. "So far, no oil spill has been reported," the statement said.
The ministry added that two Indian Coast Guard vessels, an aircraft carrying out aerial surveillance, and the ship Saksham, with pollution response equipment, remained on site.
A Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 sank off the coast of Kochi around 0750 hrs on 25 May after developing a 26° starboard list. All crew members were safely rescued: 21 by the @IndiaCoastGuard and 03 by INS Sujata.
The vessel, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, was… pic.twitter.com/s3Pj1kujHZ
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) May 25, 2025
The Indian Coast Guard’s Mumbai centre received an emergency alert from MSC ELSA 3 on May 24, after the vessel began tilting by 26° about 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi. The ship had left Vizhinjam Port on May 23 and was expected to arrive in Kochi on May 24.
The Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in Kochi led the response, deploying nearby vessels and aircraft. The Indian Navy also sent the ship INS Sujata to assist.
The Coast Guard and the Directorate General of Shipping directed the ship’s owners to begin salvage operations without delay.
An ICG Dornier aircraft first spotted two liferafts. Survivors were later picked up by Coast Guard patrol ships and merchant vessels redirected to the area.
Out of 24 crew members on board, 21 had been rescued by 8 pm on May 24. The crew included nationals from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines.
The Coast Guard had also reported that some containers had fallen into the sea as the ship tilted.
On the evening of May 24, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority issued an alert advising people not to approach or touch any cargo that may wash ashore.
The ship’s captain, chief engineer and second engineer had stayed behind in an effort to save the vessel but were ultimately unable to do so. They were rescued by INS Sujata on the morning of May 25, shortly before the ship sank completely.
The cause of the vessel’s tilt has yet to be determined, the ministry said.
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