Sinking of cargo ship MSC Elsa 3; mission to recover oil and containers begins

KOCHI: The mission to recover fuel and containers from the sunken cargo ship MSC Elsa 3 has begun. The mission, which is planned in three phases, will be completed on July 7. A high-level meeting held in Kochi today directed the ship to be removed from the strategic area. Therefore, the company will have to withdraw from the move to abandon it.

The meeting was held in the presence of the Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan as per the instructions of the Union Ministry of Shipping. State government representatives, representatives of the Mediterranean Shipping Company, Customs and Coast Guard officials were present.

The Director General of Shipping told a press conference that no harmful materials have washed ashore so far. Although the ship sank, the fuel in the tanks has not leaked. The dangerous containers that stored calcium carbide and other materials have not reached the shore.

The American salvage company entrusted by MSC has taken over the mission to recover the containers. The team consists of 108 people. An additional 36 people have been deployed. 50 containers that have washed up on the shore and those that have sunk in the sea will be brought to shore.

450 tons

There are 13 containers with harmful substances and about 450 tons of fuel in the ship's tank. These containers were stored airtight. Two of T&T Salvage's four tugs have started surveying and removing oil at the site. Two more will arrive on Friday. The transfer of the washed-up containers to the yard will be completed within two days.

Phase 1

A 15-day mission. Tug boats and personnel will be sent to the area. The work using survey equipment and a diving boat will be completed before June 12.

Phase 2

A one-month mission will complete the recovery of floating containers, removal of washed-up waste, and removal of the oil field. Along with this, a site survey and an underwater operation plan will be prepared. Five days of gas diving are underway.

Phase 3

The recovery of oil from the sunken ship will begin on June 13. This will be completed on July 3. The containers will be lifted from the ship from the next day. The decision is to raise the ship as well.