Lok Sabha Question No. 2083 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Threats from Abandoned  Ships
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2083

ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025

## THREATS FROM ABANDONED SHIPS

2083.  DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

पȅन , पोत पįरवहन एवं जलमागŊ मंũालय

- (a) whether the ministry is aware of the recent sinking of the MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast and the potential environmental and economic risks posed by abandoned vessels;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, including any investigations launched into the incident and accountability measures in place;
- (c) whether the Government has identified any other abandoned or derelict vessels in Indian waters posing similar threats to coastal safety, environment or shipping routes;
- (d) whether the Government has taken any measures to enhance maritime monitoring and ensure the prompt removal or safe anchorage of abandoned ships in Indian territorial waters; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) to (e) The Government of India is aware of the maritime incident involving the foreign-flagged  vessel  MSC  ELSA 3.  Due  to  proactive  measures  taken  by  the  Indian Coast Guard, Directorate General of Shipping, and the Salvors appointed by the ship owners, Oil spill from the sunken vessel was prevented. All the fuel tank openings have been  sealed  by  the  divers.  Directorate  General  of  Shipping  has  been  monitoring developments  closely  and  coordinating  the  salvage  operations  and  has  also  issued necessary directions to ensure appropriate response actions, including wreck removal for MSC Elsa 3 and containment of potential pollution.

A statutory inquiry and investigation into the incident, under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, is presently being undertaken by the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Kochi,  to  ascertain  the  causal  factors  leading  to  the  incident.  Further,  the  Central Government has ordered to conduct formal investigation into the incident in accordance with Section 360 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1958.

The details of other abandoned or derelict vessels in Indian waters in 2025 are as follows:

|   Sr.No. | Ship Name             | Incident category / Month - Year   | Location                                      |
|----------|-----------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Wan Hai 503           | Fire and Explosion / June - 2025   | 44 Nautical Miles off Azhikkal, Kerala Coast. |
|        2 | Essar Tug VIII        | Grounded / June - 2025             | Off Kasaragod, Kerala.                        |
|        3 | MV Interasia Tenacity | Fire onboard/ June - 2025          | 50 miles west of Kochi, Kerala                |
|        4 | Chemical Tanker Fulda | Explosion / July -2025             | Off Kandla Port                               |

The Government of India, through Directorate General of Shipping issued notices under the Merchant Shipping Act to the owners and the Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs of the vessels for removal of wrecks and abandoned vessels. The Government ensures  that  such  abandoned  vessels  /  wrecks  are  removed  from  the  location  in accordance the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act.

A Maritime Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Vol 10/2024 dated 24.02.2024 on 'Handling of Derelict Vessels in/near Indian Waters' has also been formulated.

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