Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), owner of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3, which capsized off Kerala coast on May 25, informed high court that no significant pollution or environmental damage has been caused by the incident so far.
According to MSC, the light oil sheen initially observed around the vessel’s location was promptly contained. All accessible vents and sounding pipes from which oil could potentially escape have been capped. Therefore, at present, there is no imminent threat of an oil spill, environmental damage, or any related consequences. These submissions were in response to petitions filed by former MP T N Prathapan and others, seeking comprehensive
compensation and rehabilitation for all stakeholders affected by the incident.
MSC’s affidavit further states that of the 643 containers on board, 13 contained legally permitted hazardous cargo. It is believed that all 13 sank with the vessel. None of the 61 containers retrieved so far contained hazardous material. The other cargo on board included plastic products known as nurdles, of which more than 70 tonnes have been collected.
MSC also informed that the removal of fuel from the vessel’s bunker tanks requires saturation diving – a high-risk operation unfeasible under the current weather conditions. Also, the wreck does not appear to pose any navigational hazard and does not obstruct fishing activities. HC will consider the petitions on Wednesday.
The affidavit also describes the events leading to the shipwreck, stating that at 1am on May 24, the vessel developed a starboard list, which continued to increase despite efforts by the crew to correct it. By 3.15am, the list had increased to 30 degrees and about 40 containers fell overboard, reducing the list to 20-22 degrees. However, the crew members were subsequently evacuated following a DG Shipping directive. Although further efforts were
made to correct the list, they were unsuccessful.
