**Summary:**
On May 27, 2025, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi reported that the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully mitigated the spread of oil following the sinking of the container vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the coast of Alappuzha, Kerala. As of May 26, 2025, no oil had reached the shoreline. Forty-six cargo containers washed ashore across three coastal districts, with more debris anticipated. The ICG deployed three Offshore Patrol Vessels and the ICGS Samudra Prahari to contain and monitor the situation. Aerial surveillance and spill response operations are being conducted. The ICG issued early advisories to the Kerala state administration and coordinated with stakeholders to address potential pollution. ICG teams are tracking floating containers and sharing real-time alerts with local authorities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: Government ministry, likely the governing body responsible for the Indian Coast Guard.
ICGLed Response: Response led by the Indian Coast Guard
Liberian Container Vessel: A container vessel registered in Liberia that sank.
Kerala: A state in India where containers washed ashore and near where the vessel sank.
27 MAY 2025: Date of the press release by PIB Delhi
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - the source of the information.
Indian Coast Guards: The coastal defense organization of India.
ICG: Abbreviation for Indian Coast Guard.
MSC ELSA 3: Name of the sunken container vessel.
Alappuzha: A coastal region in Kerala, India, near where the vessel sank.
May 26, 2025: Date mentioned in relation to the oil spill situation.
Offshore Patrol Vessels: Type of vessel deployed for response.
ICGS Samudra Prahari: Specialized pollution control vessel deployed by the Indian Coast Guard.
ICG Dornier: Aircraft used by the Indian Coast Guard for aerial surveillance.
Kochi: Location from where ICG Dornier aircraft operate.
Kerala state administration: The government administration of the state of Kerala.
HNS: Hazardous and Noxious Substance, a type of pollution.
SRKB Release ID: 2131849: Release identification number.
Ministry of Defence
ICG-Led Response Mitigates Oil Spread After
Liberian Container Vessel Sinking; 46 Containers
Wash Ashore in Kerala
Posted On: 27 MAY 2025 9:24PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) swift and coordinated response, supported by multiple agencies, slowed the
spread of oil leaking from the sunken container vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Alappuzha coast, Kerala. As on
May 26, 2025, no oil has reached the shoreline. About 46 cargo containers washed ashore across three coastal
districts of Kerala, and more debris is expected.
Three Offshore Patrol Vessels and the specialised pollution control vessel ICGS Samudra Prahari have been
deployed to contain and monitor the situation. Daily aerial surveillance and spill response sorties are being
conducted by ICG Dornier aircraft from Kochi.
Following the vessel’s sinking, ICG issued early advisories to the Kerala state administration and activated
coordination between key stakeholders to address potential oil or hazardous and noxious substance (HNS)
pollution scenarios. ICG teams also engaged in tracking floating containers at sea and are sharing real-time
alerts with local authorities to support shoreline preparedness.****
SR/KB
(Release ID: 2131849)