T&T Salvage has arrived in Kochi to oversee the recovery operation following the capsizing of the container vessel MSC ELSA III off the Kerala coast. Coordination is underway between salvage experts and local authorities to facilitate the retrieval of containers and mitigate risks to shipping and the coastline. Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal convened a meeting with senior officials to review the emergency response, as all 24 crew members were safely rescued by the Indian Coast Guard.
The Liberian-flagged ship sank approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi after departing Vizhinjam Port. Minister Sonowal confirmed that efforts are in place to recover hazardous materials from 13 IMDG containers, with the Indian Coast Guard deploying multiple vessels and a pollution response ship en route from Mumbai. Aerial surveillance is being conducted to monitor potential oil spills in the affected area.
Additionally, representatives from Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) are in Kochi to track beached containers and ensure their security. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to protect the coastal environment, especially after some containers were spotted on the Kollam coast, raising environmental and navigational concerns.
