Executive Summary:
This document responds to questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding vessel-related accidents off the coast of Kerala. It details four incidents occurring between May 2024 and June 2025, including collisions, sinkings, and fires. The report outlines the government's awareness, actions taken, and ongoing investigations into these incidents.
Key Points / Main Content:
Accident Details:
* May 13, 2024: Cargo vessel SAGAR YUVRAJ collided with a fishing boat off the Kerala coast; four rescued, two missing.
* May 24, 2025: Container ship MSC ELSA sank 13 NM off Alappuzha, Kerala; all 26 crew rescued; vessel carrying containers including hazardous materials and fuel oil.
* June 9, 2025: Container ship WAN HAI 503 experienced a container fire 44 NM from Azhikkal, Kerala; four crew missing; vessel towed away from Indian EEZ; salvage operations ongoing.
* June 12, 2025: Container ship INTERASIA TENACITY had a minor container fire 50 NM off Kochi, Kerala; no injuries or environmental damage; fire extinguished.
Government Actions:
* Rescue operations were commenced for the SAGAR YUVRAJ incident.
* A statutory preliminary inquiry is underway by the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Kochi, regarding the MSC ELSA sinking, under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, to determine causal factors.
* Environmental risk from the WAN HAI 503 incident was prevented by towing the vessel away from the Indian EEZ.
* The fire on INTERASIA TENACITY was extinguished by the ship's crew, and the vessel proceeded to its destination.
Impact Analysis:
Government of India (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways):
* Impact: Responsible for addressing vessel-related accidents, conducting inquiries, and preventing future incidents.
* Action Required: Continue ongoing investigations, implement preventative measures, and provide necessary aid or compensation.
Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Kochi:
* Impact: Tasked with conducting preliminary inquiries into vessel accidents.
* Action Required: Complete the ongoing inquiry into the MSC ELSA sinking and submit findings.
Coastal Communities and Fishing Activities:
* Impact: Potentially affected by environmental damage and disruptions to fishing activities due to vessel accidents.
* Action Required: Await potential compensation or relief, and cooperate with government agencies in assessing and mitigating the impact.
Ship Owners/Operators:
* Impact: Liable for damages, potential loss of vessel, and subject to investigation.
* Action Required: Cooperate with investigations, conduct salvage operations, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Crew Members:
* Impact: Risk of injury, loss of life, or displacement due to vessel accidents.
* Action Required: Follow safety protocols and cooperate with rescue operations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: Member of Parliament who raised the question about vessel-related accidents.
SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL: The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways who provided the answer to the question.
Kerala: A state in India where the ship or vessel-related accidents occurred.
SAGAR YUVRAJ: Cargo Vessel involved in a collision off the coast of Kerala.
MSC ELSA 3: Container ship that experienced listing and sinking off the Alappuzha, Kerala coast.
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: The act under which a preliminary inquiry into the MSC Elsa 3 incident is being conducted.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1111
ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025
VESSEL RELATED ACCIDENTS
1111. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
a) whether the Government is aware of recent ship or vessel-related accidents that
occurred in the offshore areas of Kerala;
b) if so, the details of such incidents reported during the last one year, indicating the
date, location, nature of accident and loss of life, property or environmental damage
caused;
c) the steps taken by the Government to assess the impact of these accidents on
marine ecology, coastal communities and fishing activities;
d) whether any compensation or relief has been provided to the affected individuals,
families or communities and if so, the details thereof; and
e) whether the Government has conducted inquiry or study into the causes and
consequences of these offshore accidents and to prevent their recurrence in the future
and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (e) Yes, the Government is aware of recent ship or vessel-related accidents that
occurred off the shore area of Kerala.The following ship or vessel-related incidents were
reported particularly off the coast of Kerala within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone,
during the last one year.
1. 13 May 2024 – SAGAR YUVRAJ (Cargo Vessel, India):
Location: Kerala Coast (10°33.800N, 075°48.640E)
Incident: Collision with a wooden fishing boatRemarks: Commenced rescue operations; four persons were rescued and brought on
board, while two others were reported missing.
2. 24 May 2025 – MSC ELSA 3 (Container Ship, Liberia):
Location: 09°30.1'N, 075°46.638'E (13 NM off the Alappuzha, Kerala Coast)
Incident: Listing and subsequent sinking. All 26 crew members were rescued. No loss of
life.
Consequence: The vessel was carrying about 643 containers which included 13
containers containing hazardous materials classified under the International Maritime
Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, along with 367 tonnes of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) & 64
tonnes of Diesel Oil.
Action taken to prevent environmental damage: A statutory Preliminary inquiry into the
incident, under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, is being conducted by the Mercantile
Marine Department (MMD), Kochi, a field office under the Directorate General of
Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to ascertain the causal factors
leading to the incident. The preliminary inquiry is currently in progress.
3. 09 June 2025 – WAN HAI 503 (Container Ship, Singapore):
Location: 44 NM from Azhikkal, Kerala Coast
Incident: Fire in container due to explosion
Remarks: 4 foreign national crew members missing; vessel adrift and emitting smoke due
to fire; severe damage to the vessel; environmental risk has been prevented by towing
the vessel away from the Indian EEZ. Salvage operations are ongoing to take the vessel
to Port of Refuge outside India.
4. 12 June 2025 – INTERASIA TENACITY (Container Ship, Singapore):
Location: 50 NM off Kochi, Kerala Coast (10°03.5'N, 075°24.0'E)
Incident: Minor fire in one container
Remarks: No injuries or environmental damage; Fire Extinguished by ship’s crew.
Vessel proceeded to destined port JNPT and unloaded the damaged container.
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