Overview
- The Liberian‑flagged container ship MSC Elsa 3 sank off Kerala on May 25, 2025, causing widespread coastal pollution and losing hundreds of containers including a number with hazardous cargo.
- A Directorate General of Shipping preliminary inquiry filed June 9 finds cascading failures in the ballast and heeling correction systems, progressive flooding, a power blackout and an uncontrollable starboard list of about 26–27 degrees that led to containers shifting and the ship sinking.
- Investigators documented long‑standing defects, temporary repairs and latent structural weakness and concluded the vessel was not seaworthy when it left Vizhinjam, citing unresolved bilge and ballast tank faults flagged by the classification society.
- The report faults shore‑based technical management for slow mobilisation, poor monitoring and failure to supply critical spares, and it finds gaps in crew practical training and handover that worsened the emergency response.
- The Kerala High Court has asked the Thoppumpady magistrate to explain probe delays under the Merchant Shipping Act, noted a May 30 final police report, set magistrate appearances for some crew and allowed three unaccused crew to leave on bonds while criminal and statutory processes continue.