The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has launched a study to assess the environmental impact of the MSC Elsa-3 shipwreck, which occurred 38 nautical miles off the Kerala coast on May 25 morning.
CMFRI's director, Grinson George, said the primary objective of the study was to identify various forms of marine pollution resulting from the shipwreck. “The findings will help formulate guidelines for appropriate management and mitigation measures, which will be shared with the relevant agencies,” George said in a statement.
The investigation is being carried out by four-member CMFRI teams stationed across the coastal districts of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. These teams are regularly collecting water, sediment and phytoplankton samples from 10 selected sites in each district.
The Liberian-flagged container ship, MSC ELSA 3, sank off the Kochi coast on May 25, setting off a full-scale marine emergency and raising concerns over hazardous cargo, oil spill risks, and the financial strain of recovery efforts. When the vessel sank, it was carrying 640 containers—13 of which reportedly contained hazardous materials. Another 12 carried calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts violently with water and produces flammable acetylene gas. The vessel also had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil onboard.
Key water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and nutrient levels are being analysed, alongside checks for traces of oil and grease in the water and coastal soil to determine any possible oil spill, the CMFRI statement said. The study also involves the collection and testing of benthic organisms to evaluate changes in the marine ecosystem.
While CMFRI initiated an on-board survey to examine the accident site directly, rough weather has so far hampered sampling efforts in the immediate vicinity of the wreck. Researchers are awaiting improved conditions to resume offshore data collection. Fishing restrictions due to adverse weather have also delayed the testing of fish samples.
“Once the sea conditions stabilise, benthic organisms from the seabed around the accident site will be collected using specialised grabs,” said George.
