A new report from the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has confirmed that the sunken container ship MSC Elsa 3 is leaking toxic substances, causing widespread ecological damage in the southeastern Arabian Sea. The findings, based on a research cruise, reveal that the wreck is now a chronic source of pollution, threatening Kerala’s coastal fisheries and marine life.
Key Findings of the CMLRE Report
The report, which analyzed samples from 23 locations off the Kerala coast, provides a grim picture of the environmental impact since the ship sank on May 25, 2025.
• Chemical Contamination: Scientists detected alarmingly high levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including naphthalene, a key indicator of oil contamination and trace metals like nickel, lead, copper, and vanadium in both water and sediment. The presence of these substances confirms that the wreck’s fuel compartments are the source of the pollution.
• Biological Disruption: The ecological damage spans multiple levels of the food chain. Fish eggs and larvae showed signs of decay, indicating high mortality rates during a critical life stage. On the seafloor, sensitive benthic organisms have vanished, replaced by hardier, pollution-tolerant species. A Brown Noddy seabird was even observed with behavior consistent with oil contamination, underscoring the risk to higher marine life.
• Ongoing Leakage: Despite strong currents, oil slicks remain visible, confirming the ongoing leakage from the ship. The report emphasizes the urgent need to seal the wreck’s fuel compartments to prevent further damage.
A Livelihood in Crisis
The disaster has had an immediate and severe impact on local fishing communities. Fishermen have reported finding dead sardines in their nets and a strong smell of diesel, with catches dropping sharply since the sinking. The incident occurred at the onset of the monsoon season, traditionally the most productive time for fishing in the region, dealing a significant blow to livelihoods already strained by economic pressures.
Slow Response and Legal Challenges
Environmental groups, like Greenpeace India, had warned of the dangers immediately after the sinking, calling the wreck a “ticking ecological time bomb.” However, the official response was slow, initially treating the event as a maritime accident rather than an environmental crisis. By the time scientific teams were deployed, significant damage had already been done.
The issue of accountability is further complicated by international maritime law. With the ship flagged in Panama and operated by a European company, pinning down liability and securing compensation for the affected fishing communities remains a difficult legal challenge.