Kerala High Court Demands EIA for Sunken Ship

The Kerala High Court has directed Central agencies to provide details regarding an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the MSC Elsa 3 vessel, which sank off the Alappuzha coast in May 2025. The court is concerned about the lack of an EIA and the potential ecological consequences of the wreckage. Agencies like the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Director-General of Shipping (DGS) are required to explain how the EIA will be conducted and by whom.

The sunken vessel carries an estimated 475 containers, including those with hazardous materials such as 339.20 MT of calcium carbide and plastic nurdles. These submerged containers pose significant navigational hazards and environmental risks to marine ecology and coastal communities. The DGS has acknowledged the long-term environmental implications and the need for independent scientific scrutiny, recommending a comprehensive EIA under the guidance of the MoEFCC and state pollution control boards.

Despite requirements for cargo and vessel recovery after the monsoon, owners and salvors have reportedly taken limited steps, focusing primarily on shoreline clean-up. Petitioners warn of substantial risks to marine biodiversity, coastline contamination, and harm to coastal livelihoods if immediate action is not taken. The court has also impleaded the MoEFCC directly in the proceedings.