India Issues Urgent Ultimatum to MSC: Extract Oil from Sunken Vessel or Prepare for Legal Consequences

Image Credits: Indian Coast Guard/X
A recent publication by the Hindu highlights that India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has given MSC Shipmanagement Limited, a Cyprus-based company, a strict 48-hour deadline to commence oil extraction from the sunken container ship MSC ELSA 3. This vessel went down off the coast of Kerala on May 24, 2025.

The DGS has made it clear that failure to initiate oil removal within this timeframe will compel the Indian government to explore all legal avenues, including potential criminal charges under various national statutes.

The MSC ELSA 3 sank approximately 14.6 nautical miles from Thottappally in Alappuzha district while carrying a total of 640 containers—13 of which contained hazardous materials and another dozen held calcium carbide. Additionally, it was loaded with around 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and over 367 metric tonnes of furnace oil, as reported by the Ministry of Defense. Since the incident occurred, there have been escalating concerns regarding environmental hazards along India’s coastline, particularly affecting Kerala.

Despite numerous notifications and meetings urging action from MSC Shipmanagement and their salvors T&T Salvage, progress on oil recovery has been sluggish. Officials have criticized their response as “negligent,” asserting that they are not fulfilling their legal responsibilities.

In an official interaction addressed to MSC Shipmanagement Limited, Shyam Jagannathan—the Director General of Shipping—emphasized that ongoing inaction poses a severe risk to both marine ecosystems and coastal communities in India. He warned that if immediate steps aren’t taken for oil extraction operations, authorities would be left with no choice but to pursue prosecution under laws such as the Merchant Shipping Act (1958) and others designed for environmental protection.

Authorities noted significant delays in operational procedures; essential equipment like Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) were only mobilized after May 30th while tugboats arrived even later post-June 1st. This lag meant missing out on favorable weather conditions crucial for safe salvage operations before monsoon season set in.

Currently resting at a depth of about 51 meters underwater requires specialized saturation diving techniques for effective oil removal—a method not yet fully utilized by the salvage team who have primarily conducted limited air diving thus far. Moreover, critical vent capping processes intended to prevent further leaks remain incomplete despite being scheduled earlier this month.Another point raised is related to visa applications for saturation divers hailing from eleven different countries; despite offers for diplomatic assistance from India’s government, these requests were not submitted timely by the salvage team.

As an inevitable result of these delays impacting local fishing communities heavily reliant on marine resources for their livelihoods—floating debris and pollution have wreaked havoc on their daily activities. The DGS described this situation as an ongoing “serious risk” threatening both ecological balance and economic stability along Kerala’s coastlines.

On June 11th, officials issued formal accusations against MSC Shipmanagement Limited citing gross negligence concerning salvage efforts following reports confirming minor leaks originating from Fuel oil Tank No.22 aboard the wrecked vessel—a situation promptly addressed through containment measures initiated immediately thereafter.

Divers aboard SEAMAC III are currently engaged in saturation diving at the site where multiple vents contributing to leakage have reportedly been sealed off successfully; though low-level leaking persists through Tank No.22’s sounding pipe without any major overflow detected presently.

Onshore recovery efforts are also progressing well with reports indicating accomplished retrievals totaling up to fifty-eight containers brought back into port—with expectations set high for one additional container arriving shortly thereafter within twenty-four hours’ time frame alongside regular drone surveys monitoring submerged debris along coastal areas.

In Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram regions specifically focused cleanup initiatives targeting plastic nurdles—tiny pellets used widely across manufacturing sectors—are underway involving around sixteen hundred volunteers mobilized since late May collecting approximately two thousand five hundred kilograms daily! Temporary storage sites approved by Pollution Control Board (PCB) await final relocation plans expected soon after completion stages finalize accordingly.

Meanwhile criminal proceedings against ship owners alongside crew members continue unfolding with Fort Kochi Coastal Police registering cases against them directly linked towards negligence claims arising due damages incurred during incidents surrounding mishaps associated with vessels involved hereafter leading up detainment actions taken upon another ship belonging previously docked nearby until bond postings resolved matters amicably thereafter allowing release back into service once again!

As dive teams ramp up efforts doubling personnel numbers now reaching twenty-four strong while finalizing equipment setups ahead next phases planned out carefully ensuring extensive strategies laid forth moving forward towards achieving successful outcomes desired ultimately restoring safety standards upheld throughout maritime practices observed consistently across industry norms established globally today!