Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways addressed concerns regarding the sinking of the MSC Elsa 3 and other abandoned vessels in Indian waters. An inquiry is underway regarding the MSC Elsa 3 incident under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The government has identified other abandoned vessels and is taking measures to ensure their removal. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was formulated on February 24, 2024, for handling derelict vessels.
Key Points / Main Content:
MSC Elsa 3 Incident:
* The government is aware of the sinking of the foreign-flagged MSC Elsa 3.
* Proactive measures by the Indian Coast Guard, Directorate General of Shipping, and salvors prevented oil spills.
* Fuel tank openings have been sealed.
* The Directorate General of Shipping is monitoring the situation and coordinating salvage operations, including wreck removal and pollution containment.
* A statutory inquiry and a formal investigation under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, are being conducted to determine the cause of the incident.
Identified Abandoned Vessels (2025):
* Wan Hai 503: Fire and explosion, 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala Coast (June).
* Essar Tug: Grounded off Kasaragod, Kerala (June).
* MV Interasia Tenacity VIII: Fire onboard, 50 miles west of Kochi, Kerala (June).
* Chemical Tanker Fulda: Explosion off Kandla Port (July).
Government Measures:
* Notices issued to vessel owners and Protection and Indemnity (PI) Clubs for wreck removal under the Merchant Shipping Act.
* Ensures removal of abandoned vessels in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act.
* Maritime Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Vol 10 2024, dated 24.02.2024, on Handling of Derelict Vessels near Indian Waters is in place.
Impact Analysis:
Directorate General of Shipping:
* Impact: Responsible for monitoring developments, coordinating salvage operations, issuing directions for appropriate response actions, and ensuring wreck removal and pollution containment.
* Action Required: Continue to monitor salvage operations, coordinate with relevant parties, and enforce the Merchant Shipping Act.
Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Kochi:
* Impact: Tasked with conducting a statutory inquiry and investigation into the MSC Elsa 3 incident.
* Action Required: Conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the causal factors leading to the incident and provide a report of findings.
Vessel Owners and Protection and Indemnity (PI) Clubs:
* Impact: Responsible for the removal of wrecks and abandoned vessels.
* Action Required: Comply with notices issued under the Merchant Shipping Act for wreck removal.
Indian Coast Guard:
* Impact: Responsible for taking proactive measures to prevent oil spills and ensure maritime safety.
* Action Required: Continue to monitor Indian waters and be prepared to respond to maritime incidents.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
DR. SHASHI THAROOR: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question about abandoned ships.
SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL: Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, who provided the answer to the question.
MSC ELSA 3: Foreign-flagged vessel that sank off the Kerala coast.
Kerala: State in India where several maritime incidents occurred, including the sinking of MSC ELSA 3.
Directorate General of Shipping: An Indian government organization involved in monitoring and coordinating salvage operations.
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: Indian legislation under which inquiries and investigations are conducted into maritime incidents.
Mercantile Marine Department MMD, Kochi: The department responsible for conducting statutory inquiries and investigations into the sinking of MSC ELSA 3
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2083
ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
THREATS FROM ABANDONED SHIPS
2083. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:
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 ministry is aware of the recent sinking of the MSC ELSA 3 off the
Kerala coast and the potential environmental and economic risks posed by abandoned
vessels;
(b) if so, the details thereof, including any investigations launched into the incident and
accountability measures in place;
(c) whether the Government has identified any other abandoned or derelict vessels in
Indian waters posing similar threats to coastal safety, environment or shipping routes;
(d) whether the Government has taken any measures to enhance maritime monitoring
and ensure the prompt removal or safe anchorage of abandoned ships in Indian territorial
waters; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (e) The Government of India is aware of the maritime incident involving the
foreign-flagged vessel MSC ELSA 3. Due to proactive measures taken by the Indian
Coast Guard, Directorate General of Shipping, and the Salvors appointed by the ship
owners, Oil spill from the sunken vessel was prevented. All the fuel tank openings have
been sealed by the divers. Directorate General of Shipping has been monitoring
developments closely and coordinating the salvage operations and has also issued
necessary directions to ensure appropriate response actions, including wreck removal for
MSC Elsa 3 and containment of potential pollution.A statutory inquiry and investigation into the incident, under the Merchant Shipping
Act, 1958, is presently being undertaken by the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD),
Kochi, to ascertain the causal factors leading to the incident. Further, the Central
Government has ordered to conduct formal investigation into the incident in accordance
with Section 360 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1958.
The details of other abandoned or derelict vessels in Indian waters in 2025 are as
follows:
Sr.No. Ship Name Incident category / Month - Year Location
1 Wan Hai 503 Fire and Explosion / June - 2025 44 Nautical Miles off
Azhikkal, Kerala Coast.
2 Essar Tug Grounded / June - 2025 Off Kasaragod, Kerala.
VIII
3 MV Interasia Fire onboard/ June - 2025 50 miles west of Kochi,
Tenacity Kerala
4 Chemical Explosion / July -2025 Off Kandla Port
Tanker Fulda
The Government of India, through Directorate General of Shipping issued notices
under the Merchant Shipping Act to the owners and the Protection and Indemnity (P&I)
Clubs of the vessels for removal of wrecks and abandoned vessels. The Government
ensures that such abandoned vessels / wrecks are removed from the location in
accordance the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act.
A Maritime Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Vol 10/2024 dated 24.02.2024
on ‘Handling of Derelict Vessels in/near Indian Waters’ has also been formulated.
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