The Indian government has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to MSC Ship Management over delays in oil extraction from the sunken container vessel MV Elsa 3 off the Kochi coast. Amid growing threats to marine life, livelihoods, and Kerala’s coastal ecosystem, officials warned that failure to act immediately will invite stringent legal action under Indian environmental and maritime laws.
As Kerala’s coastline teeters on the brink of environmental damage, the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has issued a stern 48-hour ultimatum to MSC Ship Management over continued delays in extracting oil from the sunken container vessel MV Elsa 3, lying 51 metres deep off the Kochi coast. Citing “gross negligence” and “imminent threat” to India’s marine ecology, the DG Shipping has formally warned that legal action will be initiated under Indian maritime and environmental legislation, if not done within the specified window.
The notice, released this week, highlights a string of failures by the ship’s owners and their appointed salvors. Despite repeated coordination meetings and government intervention, including diplomatic support for foreign diving teams, critical steps in the extraction process remain pending. Notably, the required saturation divers from 11 countries have yet to be deployed, reportedly due to visa delays not acted upon by the salvors.
The environmental stakes are high. Kerala’s coast, known for its rich marine biodiversity and dependence on fishing economies, has already begun to feel the effects of the lingering oil threat. Local fishing communities, heavily reliant on daily catches, have reported reduced activity due to floating debris, oil sheens, and water contamination fears. This has translated into significant loss of income and food security in coastal settlements.
Oil extraction from the sunken MV Elsa 3 off Kochi remains dangerously delayed, with key procedures like vent capping and saturation diving still incomplete weeks after the initial June 5 deadline. The Directorate General of Shipping has labelled the salvors’ actions grossly inadequate, warning of severe environmental fallout if delays persist. As monsoon currents near, the threat of widespread contamination grows, endangering marine biodiversity, coastal tourism, and livelihoods already disrupted in Kerala’s fishing communities.
With the DG Shipping’s 48-hour deadline in place, the window for corrective action is rapidly closing. Continued inaction risks not only environmental devastation but also legal consequences for MSC Ship Management. As monsoon conditions loom, the urgency to act decisively is paramount. Immediate, transparent, and expert-led intervention is essential to protect marine life, coastal economies, and public trust before the situation spirals into an irreversible ecological and economic disaster.
