India Might Deploy Naval Ships To Assess Seabed Damage Due To MSC Elsa-3 Shipwreck

The Kerala High Court has directed the Central Government of India to deploy naval vessels to ascertain the extent of damage caused to the seabed by the sinking of the MSC Elsa 3.

The Liberian-flagged vessel sank off Kerala on May 25, 2025, triggering severe concerns regarding marine pollution, navigational hazards, and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar asked the Additional Solicitor General of India (ASGI) to obtain instructions from the Ministry of Defence regarding the deployment.

According to an Amicus Curiae report submitted to the Court, the Indian Navy is equipped for this operation due to its specialised underwater capabilities, such as the possession of Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and specialised vessels like the INS Nistar, an indigenously designed Diving Support Ship built for deep-sea diving, rescue and salvage operations.

Additionally, the Indian Navy has executed complex salvage and pollution response operations in the past.

The ship owner, the Mediterranean Shipping Company, had engaged surveyors who submitted reports claiming the wreck poses no environmental or navigational threats; however, the Court and the Directorate General of Shipping rejected these private findings.

The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is currently conducting a study on the long-term environmental impact of the wreck, with a report expected by July 30.

The Bench emphasised that NIO’s environmental assessment is insufficient to verify the shipowner’s claims.

The Court insisted that a physical, deep-sea inspection is needed to gauge the extent of the physical damage.

The Court highlighted alarming details regarding dangerous materials trapped within the sunken vessel, which include:

• IMDG Material: A highly dangerous container filled with International Maritime Dangerous Goods.
• Calcium Carbide: 11 containers containing calcium carbide remain trapped inside the wreck.
• Plastic Nurdles: A container having 25 to 28 metric tonnes of plastic pellets is missing.

Although reportedly secured, it is currently untraceable, and it remains unknown if its doors are properly sealed.

The Court has directed the respondents to file independent counter-affidavits addressing these issues.

The case has been scheduled for its next hearing on August 11 to review the Ministry of Defence’s instructions and the subsequent action plan.