MSC ELSA 3 Sinking Impact Assessment

Summary of the MSC ELSA 3 Incident and Its Ecological Impact

• Incident Overview:

  • The Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 capsized off the Kerala coast on May 25.
  • It was en route from Vizhinjam Port (Thiruvananthapuram) to Kochi when it sank approximately 25 km southwest of Alappuzha.

• Ecological Impact:

  • Investigations by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) revealed significant ecological disruption, affecting:
    • Water quality
    • Plankton
    • Benthos
    • Fish eggs and larvae
    • Higher marine life

• Investigation Details:

  • The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) conducted an investigation using the Fishery Oceanographic Research Vessel FORV Sagar Sampada during June 2-12 and sampled 23 locations between Kochi and Kanyakumari.
  • The wreck is located at a depth of 54 meters.

• Pollutants Detected:

  • Presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs):
    • Compounds identified include naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene.
    • Elevated naphthalene levels indicate human-induced contamination likely from leakage.
  • High concentrations of trace metals associated with petroleum:
    • Nickel
    • Lead
    • Copper
    • Vanadium

• Environmental Concerns:

  • The wreck is a local source of hydrocarbon and heavy-metal pollution.
  • Zooplankton showed high levels of petroleum-derived pollutants, with concerns about bio-accumulation affecting the food web, potentially impacting fish and human health.
  • Effect on marine fauna noted:
    • Brown Noddy seabird observed exhibiting behavior typical of oil contamination by preening its feathers.

• Call for Action:

  • Experts have emphasized the need for:
    • Urgent sealing of the ship’s fuel compartments.
    • Ongoing monitoring and assessment of the affected marine ecosystems and fishery resources.

• Broader Implications:

  • The incident occurred before the southwest monsoon, which coincides with critical fish breeding periods, thus amplifying ecological disruptions.

This summary outlines the immediate ecological ramifications of the MSC ELSA 3 incident, emphasizing the pollutants discovered, the affected marine life, and the essential actions recommended for environmental protection.