**Summary:**
On May 25, 2025, the Liberian-flagged ship MSC Elsa3 sank approximately 13 nautical miles off the Alappuzha coast en route from Vizhinjam port to Kochi. The Government of India acknowledges the incident. Following the sinking, the Government of Kerala convened a high-level meeting on May 28, 2025, with scientists from ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), and representatives of fishermen to assess potential ecological impacts and determine necessary actions to protect fishery resources and the livelihoods of fishermen.
Subsequently, on June 19, 2025, the State Government of Kerala formed a Joint Coordination Committee comprising representatives from KUFOS, CMFRI, CIFT, the State Pollution Control Board, Food Safety, National Health Mission, and Coastal Police. The committee was tasked with reviewing the situation and conducting necessary sampling and testing of water and fish according to standard protocols. Test results indicated that fish samples were in good condition, with no objectionable smell or flavor, and the pH, salinity, and conductivity of water samples were within normal ranges. Preliminary analysis of water and fish samples found no traces of oil content or direct evidence of hazardous chemicals, and fish samples from the coasts of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kollam were deemed safe for consumption.
The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has been commissioned through the Environment Department of Kerala to conduct a multi-sectoral loss assessment and impact study, examining both short-term and long-term effects. Claim Desks have been established by the vessel owner, through the vessel's Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurer, North Standard P&I Club, to facilitate the collection and processing of claims.
Key Entities Referenced
MSC Elsa3: A Liberian-flagged ship that sank off the coast of Alappuzha, Kerala.
Thottappally Alappuzha spillway: Location near where the MSC Elsa3 sank in Alappuzha District, Kerala.
Vizhinjam port: The port of origin for the MSC Elsa3's voyage.
Kochi: The intended destination port of the MSC Elsa3 in Kerala.
Government of Kerala: The state government that responded to the sinking of the MSC Elsa3.
ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology CIFT: Indian Council of Agricultural Research fisheries research institute involved in assessing the ecological impact of the sinking.
ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI: Indian Council of Agricultural Research marine research institute involved in assessing the ecological impact of the sinking.
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies KUFOS: A university in Kerala involved in assessing the ecological impact of the sinking.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2109
ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
SINKING OF MSC ELSA-3
2109. COM. SELVARAJ V:
SHRI SUBBARAYAN K:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन एवं जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ालय
(a) whether the Government has taken note of the sinking of a Liberian-flagged ship
MSC Elsa-3 Thottappally (Alappuzha) spilllway enroute from Vizhinjam port to Kochi on
May 25, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any study was conducted as to the environmental and economic fall out
from this incident, if so, the details and conclusion thereof; and
(c) the steps being taken to secure compensation from the shipping company for the
environmental and maritime damages and losses caused thereby?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (c) The Government of India is aware of sinking of Liberian-flagged ship MSC
ELSA-3 sank approximately 13 nautical miles off the Alappuzha coast on 25.05.2025.
The Government of Kerala informed that high-level meeting was convened with the
scientists of ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), ICAR-Central
Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean
Studies (KUFOS) and representatives of fishermen on 28th May, 2025 to discuss the
possible ecological impact and necessary actions to be taken for protection of fishery
resources and livelihood of fishermen. Accordingly, on 19.06.2025, a Joint Coordination
Committee was constituted by the State Government of Kerala with representatives from
KUFOS, CMFRI, CIFT, State Pollution Control Board, Food Safety, National Health
Mission, and Coastal Police to review the scenario and to conduct necessary sampling,testing of water, and fish in accordance with the standard protocols. The test reports
revealed that the fish samples were all in good condition, and no objectionable smell or
flavour was observed, and the pH, salinity and the conductivity of water samples were
within the normal range. The preliminary analysis of water and fish samples revealed
that there was no trace or the presence of oil content, no direct evidence to prove the
presence of hazardous chemicals, and that the fish samples from the coasts of
Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kollam, etc. were safe for consumption. It has also been
informed that the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has been entrusted through
the Environment Department of Kerala to undertake multi-sectoral loss assessment and
impact study both short term and long term.
The claim Desks have been established by the vessel owner through the vessel’s
Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurer, M/s. North Standard P&I Club, to facilitate the
collection and processing of claims.
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