Why in the News?
The container ship MSC Elsa 3 sank off the coast of Kochi on May 24, triggering a major environmental and maritime safety crisis that could turn into one of India’s worst maritime pollution disasters.
What led to the sinking of MSC Elsa 3?
- Operational Failure at Sea: On May 24, MSC Elsa 3 began tilting off the coast of Kochi due to an unspecified operational problem. Despite attempts by the crew, the ship could not be stabilised.
- Aging Vessel and Abandonment by Crew: Although structurally considered safe, the ship was nearly 30 years old. The crew abandoned it after unsuccessful efforts to right it, leading to its eventual sinking.
- Unfavourable Sea Conditions: Monsoon-related rough weather worsened the situation, with containers dislodging and floating, further destabilising the vessel before it sank to a depth of 50 metres.
Why are the sunken containers considered hazardous?
- Reactive Chemicals: Some containers hold substances that react dangerously with water, posing immediate chemical and fire hazards. Eg: 12 containers had calcium carbide, which reacts with seawater to produce acetylene gas, a highly flammable and explosive compound.
- Toxic Leakage: Leaked substances from damaged containers can pollute seawater and pose health hazards to marine life and humans. Eg: A container with rubber solution leaked and reacted with seawater, leading to the appearance of plastic pellets along the Kerala coast.
- Long-Term Environmental Impact: Chemicals from sunken containers can gradually seep out, causing persistent marine pollution and ecological damage. Eg: If not retrieved, chemicals from these containers may enter the food chain, harming marine biodiversity and impacting fisheries.
Who handles oil spill response in India?The Indian Coast Guard is the nodal agency under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP). |
How does this incident test India’s maritime disaster readiness?
- Inter-agency Coordination: Effective disaster response requires smooth coordination between multiple agencies such as the Coast Guard, pollution control boards, and port authorities. Eg: In the 2017 Chennai oil spill, response was delayed due to confusion and poor coordination, leading to severe coastal damage.
- Emergency Response Infrastructure: The ability to quickly deploy salvage teams, pollution control equipment, and monitoring systems is essential. Eg: After MSC Elsa 3 sank, authorities had time to prepare, making it a critical test of India’s readiness to act swiftlybefore oil or chemicals leak.
- Policy Implementation and Preparedness: Real-time implementation of national plans and compliance with international protocols demonstrate operational strength. Eg: The National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) designates the Coast Guard as the nodal agency, and this incident checks how well the plan is executed.
What are the steps taken by the Indian Government?
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Way forward:
- Strengthen Maritime Hazard Protocols and Container Screening: India must enforce stricter pre-shipment screening of cargo for hazardous materials and mandate real-time tracking of containers carrying reactive or toxic substances.
- Enhance Rapid Response Infrastructure and Inter-agency Coordination: Develop a unified maritime disaster response framework with clearly defined roles for all agencies — Coast Guard, pollution boards, port authorities, and state governments.
Mains PYQ:
[UPSC 2022] Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol.
Linkage: The MSC Elsa 3 incident directly involves environmental pollution, specifically marine pollution from hazardous cargo and fuel oil, necessitating mitigation efforts. This question reflects the UPSC’s interest in environmental pollution issues.
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