The recent twin shipwrecks off Kerala’s coast have raised serious concerns over the safety of aging vessels and the loopholes in global maritime governance. The incidents, involving the Liberian-flagged MSC Elsa 3 and Singapore-flagged Wan Hai 503, have caused severe environmental damage and disrupted the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Both ships, well past 20 years of age, sank in the Arabian Sea, releasing diesel, furnace oil, and hazardous cargo into marine waters. Volunteers and marine biologists reported plastic nurdles small plastic pellets used in manufacturing washing ashore. These pose a grave threat to marine life as they resemble fish eggs, are nearly impossible to clean, and can carry harmful pollutants across the ocean. Additionally, sunken oil droplets are likely to settle on the seabed, smothering coral nurseries and vital sea-floor organisms, impacting the region’s marine food chain.
Fishing communities along the Kerala coast have been hit hard. Nets returned damaged and tangled with debris, boats came ashore coated in oil, and an exclusion zone of 20 nautical miles halted fishing activity just when monsoon-related closures were to begin. This unexpected crisis has left many without their seasonal livelihood.
Experts stress that ship age is a key factor in such disasters. Vessels over 20 years old face higher risks of hull breaches due to metal fatigue, corrosion, and wear of structural parts. Delayed maintenance, poor inspection regimes, and human errors like mismanagement of cargo or neglected ballast tank upkeep only make these ships more vulnerable.
The MSC Elsa 3, nearly 28 years old, and Wan Hai 503, 20 years old, were operating under “Flags of Convenience” (FOC)—a practice where ships register in countries like Liberia or Panama to avoid strict safety, labour, and environmental regulations. These flags allow ship owners to bypass tough checks, with many such vessels rarely undergoing proper inspections. This leaves coastal nations like India to deal with the consequences when such ships fail.
Data shows that FOC-registered ships dominate global shipping, with Liberia, Panama, and the Marshall Islands controlling almost half the world’s deadweight tonnage. Liberia, under whose flag MSC Elsa 3 operated, has seen rapid growth in such registrations, prioritising quantity over safety oversight. Singapore, though known for progressive maritime policies, now faces scrutiny as Wan Hai 503’s flag state, as it must ensure its ships meet international safety and environmental norms.
This incident exposes gaps in the international maritime system, especially the lack of accountability mechanisms when FOC vessels cause damage. Current global regulations under bodies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) remain weak and poorly enforced, varying widely among flag states. Insurance frameworks also fall short by underestimating the long-term environmental and economic costs of such spills, especially for coastal communities.
India now faces an opportunity to lead reforms in this neglected sector. As a country with over 7,500 kilometres of coastline and growing influence in shipping, India can push for stricter global rules on vessel age, pollution liability, and ship inspection standards. Aligning these efforts with commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement, India can demand that all ships using its waters meet higher safety and environmental benchmarks.
Domestically, India should set up a permanent Marine Disaster Relief Fund to support coastal communities hit by such accidents. This fund could help provide emergency training, spill response resources, claims processing guidance, and alternative livelihoods during crises.
At the global level, India can push for greener shipping corridors and incentives for cleaner, newer vessels through forums like the World Trade Organization and UNCTAD. Such measures would not only protect the environment but also ensure safer, more sustainable trade routes without slowing down commerce.
The Kerala shipwrecks are a stark reminder that old vessels and weak oversight put both people and nature at risk. Without urgent reforms, similar disasters could strike again, threatening fragile marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions depending on the sea.