In a significant maritime incident, the Liberia-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 capsized approximately 38 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi, Kerala, on May 25, 2025. The vessel, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials and 12 containing calcium carbide. Additionally, the ship had 84.44 metric tons of diesel and 367.1 metric tons of furnace oil in its tanks.
All 24 crew members aboard the MSC ELSA 3 were successfully rescued. The Indian Coast Guard evacuated 21 crew members, while the remaining three—comprising the captain, chief engineer, and second engineer—were rescued by the Indian Navy’s INS Sujata after they stayed onboard to assist with salvage operations.
The capsizing of the vessel has raised significant environmental concerns due to the potential spillage of hazardous materials and fuel. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed ships and aircraft equipped with pollution control equipment and oil spill detection systems to contain and assess the situation. Authorities have issued warnings to residents and fishermen to avoid the affected coastal areas, as some containers have begun washing ashore.
