Experts Begin Oil Extraction Efforts from MSC Elsa 3

Quick Summary

• Foreign technicians and divers have arrived at Kollam Port, Kerala, to assist in extracting oil and hazardous materials from the sunken Liberian-flagged container ship MSC Elsa 3.
• The ship capsized on May 24, 2025, carrying 640 containers, including 13 classified as hazardous (12 containing calcium carbide) and large quantities of diesel (84.44 tonnes) and furnace oil (367.1 tonnes).
• Recent oil slicks were spotted again on august 4 near the site by the Indian Coast guard team patrolling the area.
• Kollam port has been chosen as a logistics hub for its proximity to the site and operational ease; extraction operations employ offshore support vessels for deep-sea diving activities involving saturation diving.
• Earlier in June, a massive oil slick of approximately 9.3 km was reported despite earlier claims that leaks had been capped; full recovery of oil is projected to take four weeks depending on weather conditions.
• The Kerala government has declared this incident a “State-specific disaster” due to environmental threats posed by chemical spills along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu coastlines.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The capsize of MSC Elsa 3 highlights serious environmental risks associated with maritime accidents near ecologically sensitive coasts.Immediate steps taken to mobilize foreign experts indicate priority efforts from India to mitigate potential environmental fallout. However, concerns remain around prolonged exposure of marine ecosystems to hazardous materials like furnace oil and calcium carbide while awaiting complete containment.

Kollam Port’s role as an operational hub reflects improved crisis management planning through strategic use of local infrastructure.Triumphant completion within projected timelines would mitigate further damage but underscores India’s need for stronger enforcement mechanisms around shipping regulations-especially concerning hazardous cargo-and quicker response capabilities during such disasters.Read More: Full Article