Diesel, Furnace Oil, Calcium Carbide Leak Feared As Cargo Ship MSC ELSA 3 Goes Down Off Kerala Coast
A Liberia-flagged container ship, MSC ELSA 3, sank off the Kerala coast on Sunday, 25 May 2025, sparking fears of a major environmental disaster due to potential oil and chemical leaks. The 184-metre vessel, operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company, was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo, 12 of which contained calcium carbide—a chemical that reacts violently with seawater to produce highly flammable acetylene gas. The ship also had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, including Marine Gas Oil and Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil, raising concerns about a significant oil spill along Kerala’s ecologically sensitive coastline. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Indian Navy have launched a robust response, rescuing all 24 crew members while intensifying efforts to mitigate environmental and navigational threats.
The incident began on Saturday, 24 May, when MSC ELSA 3, en route from Vizhinjam Port to Kochi, reported a 26-degree starboard tilt approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi. A distress call prompted immediate action from the ICG’s Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in Kochi, which deployed a Dornier aircraft for aerial surveillance. The aircraft spotted life rafts with survivors, and rescue operations commenced under global Search and Rescue protocols. By Saturday evening, 21 crew members—comprising one Russian, two Ukrainians, one Georgian, and 20 Filipinos—were safely evacuated, with nine rescued by MV Han Yi and 12 by ICG ship Arnvesh. The captain, chief engineer, and second engineer remained on board to assist with salvage efforts but were forced to abandon ship as it capsized and sank at 07:50 on Sunday. These three were rescued by the Indian Navy’s INS Sujata.
The sinking, attributed to flooding in one of the cargo holds, has led to severe environmental concerns. Authorities estimate that around 100 containers fell into the sea, with some already spotted drifting at 1–3 km per hour towards the shores of Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram, identified as high-risk zones by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA). The leaked fuel, drifting at approximately 3 km per hour, has prompted a statewide alert, with fishing banned within 20 nautical miles of the wreck site. The KSDMA has urged coastal residents, fishermen, and tourists to avoid handling suspicious containers or floating debris and to report sightings to emergency number 112 or local authorities. A probability map indicates Ernakulam and Alappuzha face the highest risk of container landfall, with moderate risks in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram.
Calcium carbide, a greyish-black crystalline solid produced by heating lime and coke at 2,000°C, poses a particular threat. When exposed to water, it generates acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide, a reaction that releases significant heat and can ignite spontaneously. Acetylene is highly flammable, with a flammable range of 2.5–80% in air, posing risks of fires or explosions if containers rupture. Calcium hydroxide increases water alkalinity, potentially disrupting aquatic ecosystems by altering pH levels critical for marine life’s health, reproduction, and survival. Traces of arsenic and phosphorous in industrial-grade calcium carbide could further contaminate fish and mussels, posing health risks to humans if consumed. These concerns are heightened by the chemical’s banned use in India for fruit ripening due to its toxicity.
The ICG has deployed its pollution response ship Saksham and aircraft equipped with advanced oil spill mapping technology to monitor the area. While no oil spill has been officially reported, the Coast Guard, Navy, and Kerala government are preparing for worst-case scenarios. Rapid Response Teams, coordinated by the Factories and Boilers Department and Pollution Control Board, are on standby, with booms and skimmers mobilised to contain potential oil slicks. A high-level meeting chaired by Kerala’s Chief Secretary on Sunday prioritised public safety, environmental protection, and safeguarding the fisheries sector, vital to local livelihoods. Kerala Ports Minister VN Vasavan cited strong winds, high waves, or loading imbalances as possible causes of the tilt, though investigations are ongoing.
Kerala’s biodiverse and tourist-heavy coastline, a hub for marine life and economic activity, faces significant risks. Experts warn that a large-scale oil or chemical spill could devastate fisheries, tourism, and ecosystems, echoing past incidents like the 2021 X-Press Pearl spill off Sri Lanka. Coastal surveillance has been intensified, with cleanup teams and emergency responders on alert. The public has been advised to maintain a 200-metre distance from any washed-up containers. As containers and fuel continue to drift, authorities remain vigilant, balancing immediate containment with long-term environmental recovery efforts to protect Kerala’s fragile coastal ecosystem.
