Environmental and Maritime Security Risks from Sunken Cargo Vessels

On May 27, 2025, several containers from a sunken Liberian-flagged cargo ship began washing ashore along Kerala's coast, particularly in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Alappuzha districts. The incident has raised serious concerns regarding chemical spills, marine pollution, and the livelihood disruption of fishing communities. The presence of hazardous cargo, such as calcium carbide, poses significant environmental and public health risks.

Nature of the Maritime Incident

• Shipwreck Details: A Liberian-flagged vessel sank off the Kochi coast, reportedly carrying over 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous chemicals such as calcium carbide, known to release acetylene gas when in contact with water.
• Geographic Spread: At least 29 containers washed ashore across Kollam, Alappuzha, and Thiruvananthapuram, with Varkala and Chirayinkeezhu taluks reporting four additional containers.

Public Health and Environmental Concerns

• Chemical Spill Risk: Containers reportedly included calcium carbide, which can produce highly flammable acetylene gas, posing risk of explosion, inhalation toxicity, and marine contamination.
• Oil Spill: The vessel was carrying over 450 metric tonnes of diesel and furnace oil, leading to a significant marine oil spill. Oil is spreading through the coastal ecosystem, threatening marine life and biodiversity.

Impact on Local Livelihoods

• Fisheries Disruption: Fishing communities, particularly in Thiruvananthapuram, have reported fear over chemical contamination of water, resulting in market rejection of seafood, endangering livelihoods and food security.
• Social Anxiety and Economic Insecurity: Local residents are wary of seafood consumption, and tourism-dependent micro-enterprises (tea stalls, beach vendors) are facing reduced footfall, leading to economic uncertainty.

Administrative and Legal Response

• Public Safety Measures: Police and Coast Guard officials have cordoned off container zones, prohibiting access within 200 metres, and issued public advisories against touching debris or containers.
• Customs and Surveillance: The Customs Department, in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard and Marine Preventive Units, is conducting shoreline surveillance and monitoring the situation.
• Legal Provisions Invoked: Authorities have cited laws prohibiting unauthorised removal or pilferage of non-duty-paid goods, and coordinated removal procedures have been initiated with customs clearance.

Way Forward:

• Strengthen Coastal Surveillance Systems: Enhance Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and real-time cargo tracking for all commercial ships approaching Indian waters.
• Mandatory Cargo Disclosure and Classification: Enforce compulsory real-time disclosure of all hazardous cargo through Port State Control regulations under International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• Integrated Coastal Disaster Response Plan: State and central disaster management agencies must develop and periodically update a Coastal Hazard Response Framework, integrating NDRF, SDRF, Customs, and Environmental Agencies.
• Livelihood Compensation and Environmental Monitoring: Launch scientific water quality assessments, provide temporary fishing bans with financial compensation, and establish mobile health units for affected coastal populations.
• Review of Chemical Container Transport Policy: Revisit the Merchant Shipping Act and rules under the Environment (Protection) Act to improve handling, labeling, and movement of hazardous cargo in maritime logistics.