Kerala on High Alert After Kochi Shipwreck: Calcium Carbide Threat and Oil Spill Raise Environmental Fears

Kerala on High Alert After Kochi Shipwreck: A Liberian ship, that was carrying 640 containers, 13 of which had hazardous materials, sank off the coast of Kochi on Sunday, which resulted in a large oil spill. The ship began to tilt badly on Saturday and on Sunday all 24 crew members were rescued safely, officials said.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) put out a notification for the public and let them know not to interfere with containers or oil that washed up on land.

The leaked fuel is drifting away at a speed of about three km/h and how much more that it may drift between now and then is concerning for Kerala's coast. The state government is now on alert statewide and advised that fishermen do not return to sea.

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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is managing the spill and is enhancing its pollution response control. The ICG stated that it is coordinating with the state government and to consider all possibilities since the ecological and economic significance of Kerala's biodiverse and tourism dependent coastline is very high.

What does the ship contain?

The ICG, who is leading the pollution response efforts, reported that the sunken ship was carrying 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, and contained hazardous containers which includes calcium carbide which reacts violently with seawater to release highly flammable acetylene gas.

“Liberian container vessel MSC ELSA 3 (IMO NO. 9123221) sank off the Kochi coast at around 0750 hrs today on May 25, 2025, due to flooding... The vessel went down with 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide. It was also loaded with 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The Coast Guard has also confirmed the ship had on board Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).

Rescue efforts were later coordinated by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) by ships and aircraft after the ship sent a distress call on Saturday, when it began to roll critically by 26 degrees almost 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has also issued a warning about the potential appearance of oil slicks on the coast, advising the public to report any sighting of containers or signs of oil on the beaches to the police.

How dangerous is calcium carbide spilling in the sea?

Calcium carbide or calcium acetylide (CaC₂) is a colourless solid created by heating lime and coke together at a temperature around 2000°C in an electric furnace. Calcium carbide is mainly used to produce acetylene gas, which is a precursor for making many industrial organic chemicals. Calcium carbide is also very commonly used for artificially ripening fruits, especially in places where modern technology for ripening is inconvenient/ inaccessible. according to TWYH.

When calcium carbide comes into contact with water, it creates a rapid and violent chemical change. This reaction will release a large amount of heat and produce acetylene gas, and calcium hydroxide. Acetylene is a highly flammable gas, so these facts will lead to potential safety hazard in cases when large quantities spennug about dramas on water and forming solids in caustic soda like resins.

How dangerous is it for the aquatic ecosystem?

The reaction of calcium carbide and water creates calcium hydroxide, increasing the alkalinity of the water. The rise in pH could disrupt aquatic ecosystems by affecting the health, reproduction, and survival of aquatic species. In addition, the production of acetylene gas can alter water quality and create an environmental hazard – particularly important if it contaminates water that is used for drinking or agriculture.

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How the Kochi coast emergency unfolded

The situation developed on May 24, when an MSC ELSA 3, headed from Vizhinjam to Kochi, began to list – 26 degree “starboard list” approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, officials said.

As the ship became unstable, a distress signal was initiated, and the Indian Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) in Kochi was immediately alerted.

“An ICG Dornier aircraft was deployed for aerial surveillance, spotting two life rafts with survivors. ICG patrol ships and merchant vessels MV Han Yi and MSC Silver 2 were also diverted to assist, in line with global search and rescue protocols,” the defence ministry said.

By Saturday evening 21 of the 24 crew members, who were nationals of Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines, were rescued. The three remaining senior crew members remained onboard to assist with salvage operations, the statement said.

“However, the vessel's condition deteriorated overnight and it capsized on May 25. The three crew members were forced to abandon the ship and were rescued by INS Sujata,” the ministry said.

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