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NGT asks shipping firm MSC to clarify hazardous cargo in sunkenvessel

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stated that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) that owned the #MSC Elsa 3# was expected to clarify on the contents of the hazardous cargo in the 13 of the 640 containers. An order dated May 27, issued by the Principal Bench of the tribunal in New Delhi pointed out that there were chances of serious impact to the marine and coastal environment affecting the biodiversity and water quality of the area as the sunken ship was carrying hazardous materials such as calcium carbide, oil and other undisclosed items. the incident violated the provisions under the Biodiversity Act, 2002; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The order was issued after the tribunal took suo motu cognisance of the report titled Containers from sunken ship likely to drift towards Alappuzha, Kollam Coasts in 48 hours: INCOIS published in The Hindu. On account of wave, wind and current actions of the waters, these pollutants can travel to other coastal parts of the country, including Lakshadweep islands, affecting them. The impact on the Lakshadweep island will be severe as the island coastal water has high bio-diversity with corals. The Bench has asked the Member Secretaries of the Central Pollution Control Board, Lakshadweep Pollution Control Committee, Kerala State Pollution Control Board; Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Director General, Indian Coast Guard: and Director, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to submit their responses on the shipwreck one week before the next hearing on July 30. An expert team from Gujarat recovered a container that was washed ashore in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, on May 31. The container washed ashore at Vaniyakudi fishing village, about one km from Colachel. It was hauled up onto the shore by a team from Gujarat which also included experts from the Marine Engineering Resources Centre, Porbandar, and those from district fisheries department officials.

Debris continues to wash ashore

Around 22 villages in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India, are impacted by the wreckage from the 'MSC Elsa 3'. The debris, including pellets, a container and wooden logs, washed ashore in the village, causing security concerns and covering the beautiful beaches of the region. In one of the villages, people found bags of cashew nuts and iron rods, after which the authorities responded. A 3-member expert team from a shipping firm based in Gujarat, accompanied by a coastal police commandant and 8 personnel, reached on May 30 to support he salvage operations. NGO volunteers and local conservancy workers have been tirelessly working to remove the debris from the beaches. To further boost the response efforts, the Kanyakumari district administration established a 24/7 control room for the people to report any debris sightings. The ship was carrying 640 containers, 13 filled with hazardous cargo and 12 having calcium carbide. It also had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 tonnes of furnace oil on board.

Fire in washed up container

A fire broke out from a container that was washed ashore at Sakthikulangara on the suburbs of Kollam on the afternoon of May 29 and has triggered panic in Kollam. The foam material in the container caught fire while it was being cut using electric cutters. Electric sparks from the cutter were suspected to have caused the fire. Thick dark smoke emanated. Nearby fire fighters quickly put out the flames. Meanwhile, the Kerala government has declared the wreckage of the ship in the Arabian sea as a state specific disaster. The move is aimed at intensifying the steps to address environmental impacts proposed by the wreckage. State disaster management funds could be used for the relief works. Around 50 containers already washed ashore, Te containers that were said to be containing hazardous cargo and calcium carbide were yet to be traced and have probably sunk. Volunteers were engaged to remove the plastic pellets that were washed ashore mostly in the coastal areas of Thiruvananthapuram. While a conclusive report on the reason for the accident was yet to come, preliminary assumption was that defects in the ballast system that maintains in the ship's balance led to the sinking. The Kerala government will file compensation claims for the damages caused to the state by the accident.