KOCHI, september 21, 2025
A scientific investigation carried out by the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Ministry of Earth Sciences, has confirmed that the sinking of the container ship MSC Elsa 3 off Kerala coast on May 25, 2025, has led to significant ecological disruption in the south-eastern Arabian Sea.
The shipwreck impacted water quality, plankton, benthos, fish eggs and larvae, and other marine life.
The persistence of oil even after several days, highlighted the risk of continued leakage. The study underscored the urgent need for sealing of the wreck’s fuel compartments and long-term monitoring of the impacted region to safeguard marine ecosystems.
The analysis of PAH (Polyaromatic hydrocarbons) fractions revealed the presence of naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene. The elevated levels of naphthalene, which normally indicate human-induced contamination, strongly suggested leakage from the wreck’s fuel compartments.
The study found that large numbers of fish eggs and larvae collected from the affected area showed signs of decay. On the seafloor, benthic organisms showed clear signs of ecological stress.
Sensitive species declined sharply within days of the incident, leaving behind only pollution-tolerant worms and bivalves.
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