Troubling Gaps in Coastal Governance

A cargo ship capsizing off the Kerala coast has spotlighted India's regulatory complacency about maritime traffic

- Abhijit Singh

More than a week after a container ship with sensitive cargo sank off the Kerala coast, there are few indications of how the incident occurred, or of the full extent of environmental damage. While port authorities maintain there has been no significant oil spill, the discovery of floating nurdles along coastlines in Kerala and Tamil Nadu has raised red flags. The underlying regulatory questions remain unanswered.

The capsizing of the Liberia-flagged MSC ELSA 3, about 40 nautical miles off Kochi, has exposed troubling gaps in India's coastal governance. The vessel was carrying 643 containers, including a declared consignment of hazardous materials such as calcium carbide, a volatile chemical known to react explosively with seawater. It was also reportedly laden with furnace oil and diesel for propulsion. That such a ship—seemingly under opaque ownership and possibly flagged to a convenience registry—was allowed to transit between two Indian ports without closer scrutiny reveals a deeper malaise—a regulatory culture overly reliant on paperwork and cursory checks, rather than robust, ground-level enforcement.

India's maritime authorities, particularly the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), responded with commendable efficiency in the immediate aftermath of the capsize. ICG swiftly deployed patrol vessels and aircraft to monitor the site and contain potential threats. Oil-spill dispersants were applied, and infrared sensors were used to track surface contamination. The tactical response was prompt and professionally executed.

Yet effective crisis management is no substitute for strong preventive oversight. ELSA 3's passage from Vizhinjam to Kochi, a short domestic leg possibly linked to cargo bound for a longer voyage, should have raised multiple red flags. The vessel was registered in Liberia—known for its open registry and lax regulatory controls.