Containers from the ship MSC Elsa 3, which sank at the Kochi outer harbour, drifted ashore in Kollam on May 26, 2025.
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The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has requested the Indian Navy to examine the feasibility of conducting an independent underwater survey and technical assessment of the wreck site of MSC Elsa 3, a Liberia-flagged vessel that sank off the coast of Alappuzha in May 2025.
The DGMA placed the request in an email earlier this week following the Kerala High Court’s directive to the Union government to examine whether the Navy could be deployed to assess the seabed damage caused by the shipwreck.
The proposed assessment seeks to verify the present condition and structural integrity of the wreck, including the submerged containers which remain within the vessel and those lying on the seabed. The Navy has also been asked to look into the feasibility of verifying the condition of the containers carrying hazardous cargo and assessing the potential risks caused by them, if any.
The High Court asked the government to explore making use of the expertise and capabilities of the Navy, highlighting the need for an independent scrutiny of the reports submitted by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, the owners of the ship.
The DGMA has sought an early response from the Navy along with its views on the feasibility, proposed methodology, and indicative timeline for undertaking the assessment. The High Court has listed the matter for hearing on August 11.
Published – July 31, 2026 10:13 pm IST
