Liberian Cargo Ship Sinks Off Kerala Coast, Raising Oil Spill Fears

On May 25, the Liberian-flagged cargo ship MSC ELSA 3, carrying 640 containers including 13 with hazardous cargo, capsized and sank off the Kerala coast. While all crew members were safely rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and Navy, the incident has sparked fears of a potential oil spill.

The Indian Coast Guard has deployed the ship Saksham, equipped with pollution response equipment, to monitor and respond to any environmental hazards.

Environmental Risks of Oil Spills

Oil spills can have catastrophic impacts on marine ecosystems:

• Oil spreads rapidly across the water surface, forming a film that blocks sunlight, hindering photosynthesis in phytoplankton and marine plants — critical for oxygen production and forming the base of marine food chains.
• Marine animals suffer from toxic exposure, impaired reproduction, and growth issues.
• Birds with oil-coated feathers lose insulation, risking hypothermia and drowning.
• Fish and invertebrates face developmental and reproductive challenges, as noted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Legal Framework: MARPOL Convention

The response to such incidents is governed by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL):

• Established after several oil spills in the 1970s, with a key protocol adopted in 1978.
• India is a signatory and enforces MARPOL through the Merchant Shipping Act.
• MARPOL has six annexes, covering pollution from:
  1. Oil
  2. Noxious liquid substances
  3. Dangerous packaged goods
  4. Sewage
  5. Garbage
  6. Air pollution from ships

India’s Response Mechanisms

• The Indian Coast Guard is the nodal agency for oil spill response.
• Ports maintain Oil Spill Contingency Plans.
• Common response techniques include:
  • Skimming: Removing oil from the surface before it reaches the coast.
  • In situ burning: Burning concentrated oil patches at sea.
  • Chemical dispersants: Breaking oil into smaller droplets for microbial breakdown

(Source: IE)