By: Express News ServiceBengaluru | Updated: September 23, 2025 04:19 AM IST 3 min readThe sinking of the Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast in May this year caused significant ecological disruption, an investigation report submitted by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has found.The leakage from the ship has affected the south-eastern Arabian Sea region’s water quality, plankton, benthos, fish eggs and larvae and higher marine life, says the report. Following the investigation, marine experts have flagged the urgent need for sealing the wreck’s fuel compartments. They have requested for a long-term monitoring of the impacted regions to safeguard marine ecosystems and fishery resources.MSC ELSA 3, a 28-year-old vessel, was sailing from Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi when it capsized around 25 km southwest of Alappuzha on May 25. The ship crew were rescued by the Coast Guard and the Indian Navy. Marine experts from the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), under MoES, investigated the incident and have shared the detailed findings and ecological impact of the incident in its report. Research cruise on-board Fishery Oceanographic Research Vessel (FORV) Sagar Sampada was deployed from June 2-12 and it covered 23 sampling locations between Kochi and Kanyakumari coasts closer to the ship wreck site located at a depth of 54 metres.The investigators reported the presence of compounds such as naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene.Explained | Ship ‘arrested’ after Kerala claims damages: How do admiralty suits work?“The elevated levels of naphthalene, which normally indicate human-induced contamination, strongly suggest leakage from the wreck’s fuel compartments. Higher concentrations of trace metals commonly associated with petroleum, including nickel, lead, copper and vanadium were detected in both water and sediments near the site. These findings confirm that the wreck has become a local source of hydrocarbon and heavy-metal pollution,” says the CMLRE report.Zooplankton was found to contain high levels of petroleum-derived pollutants, experts noted. Tests confirmed bio-accumulation and this has raised concerns about the transfer of these pollutants through the food web to fish and humans, they said.As the incident preceded the southwest monsoon, which coincides with the fish breeding period, its impact was visible on early life stages of fish.Story continues below this adEven the fauna was affected by the incident. A Brown Noddy seabird was observed taking prolonged shelter on the wreck, repeatedly preening its feathers: a typical behavioural response to oil contamination of plumage.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Kerala