Nurdle Nightmare: Sri Lanka's Plastic Peril 5 Years On

Five years ago, in May 2021, the MV X-Press Pearl container ship caught fire, spilling billions of plastic nurdles and hazardous materials into Sri Lanka's waters. This environmental catastrophe led to hundreds of dead marine animals, including turtles and dolphins, washing ashore. Coastal vegetation also suffered, with coconut trees showing signs of damage.

Nurdles continue to wash ashore, particularly during monsoon seasons, impacting fishing grounds and livelihoods. Affected fishers report damaged nets and altered marine environments, making traditional fishing methods less reliable. They also face challenges with declining fish populations in historically productive areas.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court ordered X-Press Feeders and its insurer to pay an initial $1 billion in compensation in July 2025. However, this ruling faces disputes, and most of the ordered sum remains unpaid. Talks with the Sri Lankan government are ongoing, and a separate case filed in Singapore is also active.

Despite interim payments for lost income during a temporary fishing ban, many genuine fishers claim they were excluded from compensation schemes. They argue that larger industry players had better representation. An expert panel estimated the environmental damage at $6.4 billion.

The impact has extended to inland aquaculture, with fish farmers reporting losses due to pollution. While acknowledging existing pollution issues, communities believe the disaster exacerbated their problems, leading some to seek work abroad. The Centre for Environmental Justice is pursuing enforcement of the court order internationally.