What Happened to Nurdles After the MSC Elsa 3 Sinking?

Kanyakumari, June 3 (NationPress) - Following the sinking of the Liberia-flagged cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 off the coast of Kochi on May 24, plastic nurdles have been discovered along the shores of 36 out of the 42 coastal villages in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district.

District Collector R. Alagumeena confirmed the widespread contamination, stating that a cleanup operation is actively in progress, supported by drone surveillance to document the efforts.

This spill has severely impacted coastal ecosystems, especially in Killiyoor taluk, where all 16 villages have been affected. In the Kalkulam and Agastheeswaram taluks, 10 of the 13 coastal hamlets in each area reported the presence of nurdles—tiny plastic pellets essential in manufacturing.

The plastic debris has reached as far south as Manakudi, a coastal village near Kanyakumari town.

Officials have indicated that a container believed to be carrying the nurdles washed ashore near the Vaniyakudi coast in Colachel last Thursday. This container was retrieved by a team of specialists and subsequently handed over to the Customs Department in Thoothukudi for further analysis.

As of now, a total of 858 bags of nurdles, each weighing approximately 25 kg, have been collected. On Monday alone, 248 bags were cleared,” stated Collector Alagumeena.

The collected materials are currently being stored temporarily at various fishing harbors throughout the district. Additionally, other items such as wooden logs and some edible goods have also washed ashore.

A team of 30 personnel from the Gujarat-based Marine Environmental Research Centre (MERC), a private agency appointed by the ship operator, arrived on Monday to assist with the cleanup.

Alongside them, numerous local workers have been mobilized for the operation. The collector assured that the removal process is being conducted in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for managing marine pollution.

She stressed that ongoing monitoring will be implemented, as additional nurdles may continue to wash ashore in the coming days.

When queried about the potential impact on the environment and marine life, Alagumeena remarked, “Only specialized experts can evaluate the long-term ecological ramifications.”

Concerning compensation demands from affected fishermen, she noted that the state government would address the issue.

Sources have revealed that the sunken vessel was transporting various goods, including plastic nurdles, calcium carbide, Marine Gas Oil (MGO), and Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). However, no hazardous materials have been detected along the Kanyakumari coastline thus far, according to officials.