MSC Elsa 3 Shipwreck – Ecological Disruption in Arabian Sea
Context: Liberia-flagged container ship MSC Elsa 3 sank off Kerala coast on May 25, 2025.
Investigating Agency: Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Location: South-eastern Arabian Sea.
Key Findings of Study
Water Quality Impact:
Oil persisted in water for several days → risk of continued leakage.
PAH (Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons) detected – naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene.
Elevated naphthalene levels → human-induced contamination, fuel leakage.
Impact on Marine Life:
Fish eggs & larvae: high mortality and decay.
Plankton & benthos: stressed ecosystem response.
Benthic organisms: decline of sensitive species → only pollution-tolerant worms & bivalves survived.
Ecological Stress:
Rapid biodiversity loss in days.
Risk of long-term ecological imbalance in Arabian Sea.
Recommendations
Immediate sealing of wreck’s fuel compartments.
Long-term ecological monitoring of the impacted region.
Strengthening maritime pollution control & disaster preparedness.