Danger at sea

• MSC Elsa 3, carrying over 640 containers, began tilting off Kochi’s coast on May 24, reportedly due to an operational problem.

• The ship, which was structurally safe, is now 50 meters below the seabed.

• The cargo manifest shows 13 containers with hazardous goods, including calcium carbide, rubber solution, and plastic pellets.

• The rubber solution reacts with the seawater, causing plastic pellets on the Kerala coast.

• Five containers with calcium carbide, another pollution hazard, are lying on the seabed and need safe disposal.

• The ship’s tanks contain 365 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 60 tonnes of diesel.

• The National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) names the Coast Guard as the nodal agency for such responses.

• Salvers are being engaged and will follow international insurance protocols.

• The Kerala response demonstrates India’s readiness to handle a major maritime disaster.