The Kerala government has released details regarding the cargo of the MSC ELSA, which recently capsized off the Kochi coast in the Arabian Sea. The ship was carrying 13 containers of calcium carbide, a chemical that can produce acetylene gas upon contact with water. With 8 containers stored internally and 5 externally, this raised environmental and safety concerns due to potential water pollution.
Additionally, there was some confusion regarding four containers labeled “cash,” which the government clarified contained cashew nuts, not currency. Overall, the ship was loaded with 46 containers of coconuts and cashew nuts, along with 87 containers of wood.
Criticism has mounted against the Kerala government for a slow response to the incident, with the Director General of Shipping attributing the capsizing to ballast water errors before setting sail from Adani’s Vizhinjam Port. The delay in investigation is partly due to the accident occurring beyond the 12-nautical-mile limit of state jurisdiction, as India’s territorial waters extend beyond that.
Despite this, as the ship took on ballast in Vizhinjam, the state has some responsibility for safety oversight. Local fishermen have reported diminished catches, raising concerns about potential pollution affecting their livelihoods.
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