[Maritime News] MSC ship sinks off the coast of India, spills oil and drops hundreds of containers into the sea

Authorities in the southern Indian state of Kerala are scrambling to contain an oil spill on Monday after a container ship sank, leaking fuel into the Arabian Sea and leaving 100 containers afloat.

The Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA3 was traveling from India's southernmost port of Vizhinjam to Kochi when it capsized on Saturday, about 38 nautical miles (70 kilometers) off the coast of Kerala, officials said. All 24 crew members were rescued.

The ship was completely sunk, according to a press release from the Kerala Chief Minister's office on Sunday, however the cause of the incident has not been revealed.

“The Coast Guard is carrying out oil spill containment measures using two specialized vessels. A Dornier aircraft is also being used to spray oil-dissolving powder on the oil slick,” the statement said.

The crew of the Liberian-flagged container ship are seen after being rescued off the coast of Kerala on Sunday. Photo: Indian Defence Public Relations Office Mumbai/AFP

The ship was carrying a total of 640 containers, including 13 containers of dangerous goods and 12 containers of calcium carbide, according to the Indian Coast Guard. However, the specific contents of the containers that fell into the sea have not been released.

MSC Shipmanagement, the Cyprus-based company that owns the ship, has not yet commented on a media request for information.

A high alert has been declared for the Kerala coast, with coastal authorities instructed not to approach or touch the containers – some of which began washing ashore on Monday morning. Fishermen have also been advised not to venture out to sea.

The Indian Coast Guard rescued crew members from the sinking container ship on Sunday. Photo: Indian Defence Public Relations Office Mumbai/AFP

The Kollam district administration of the state also urged people living near the shore to move to safety.

Oil spills at sea can have serious impacts, threatening marine ecosystems and local fishing industries.

Earlier in 2017, a collision between the BW LPG vessel and a local vessel carrying heavy fuel oil also caused a similar oil spill near the southern Indian city of Chennai, damaging marine life and affecting the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen.Top of Form

South China Morning Post

Source: https://vimc.co/news-hang-hai-tau-msc-chim-ngoai-khoi-an-do-tran-dau-va-roi-hang-tram-containers-xuong-sea/