Casualty News
MSC ELSA 3
Date
May 24, 2025
Type
Listing and Loss of Cargo, Capsize
Voyage
Indian Ports
Reports have been received that Liberian flag vessel MSC ELSA 3 (16,799gt, built 1997) developed a 26 degree list whilst sailing approximately 38 miles southwest of Kochi, India yesterday.
Several containers were lost overboard as a result and most of the twenty-four crew members abandoned the vessel and were rescued.
Three crewmembers, the master, chief engineer and second engineer remained on board to assist with possible salvage operations.
However, the situation deteriorated further and the three remaining crew members were also taken off the vessel.
The vessel is now understood to be submerged, as can be seen from photographs taken by emergency responders.
Indian emergency services had responded and sent craft to the scene. A clean-up operation has also been initiated.
Members of the public have been warned against approaching containers that may be washed ashore, as there were some hazardous cargoes on board the vessel.
MSC ELSA 3 had sailed from the port of Vizhinjam shortly before the accident and was approaching Kochi, the vessel’s next port of call.
MSC ELSA 3 generally operates between ports in Southern India but may also be carrying transhipment cargoes with origins or final destinations outside India.
If you are involved as cargo insurers and require assistance please let us know. We can assist with:
- Arranging cargo damage surveys
- Investigating the cause of the incident
- Recovery of losses on NO CURE NO PAY terms
- Provision of Salvage Guarantees (for a premium starting from 0.4% of guarantee amount)
- Handling of Salvage claims (without the need for lawyers)
- Providing Average Guarantees
- Handling of GA claims
- Defence of GA claims in NO CURE NO PAY terms