DGS ( India) has issued a press release on the salvage effort of MSC ELSA 3, the vessel is approximately 14 KM from the coast of Kerala.

Fuel extraction from the sunken vessel MSC Elsa 3 off the Alappuzha, Kerala Coast has officially begun. Using advanced Diving Support Vessel (DSV) Southern Nova, saturation divers commenced operations on 20th August 2025 at a depth of 51 meters.

🔹 Support vessel Offshore Monarch and tug Canara Megh are assisting, with a 1 NM exclusion zone enforced for safety.
🔹 Operations, suspended earlier due to the monsoon, have now entered an advanced phase aimed at environmental protection & wreck management.
🔹 Tentative timeline for oil removal: 25th September 2025 (weather permitting).
🔹 No oil spills reported; aerial, coastal & satellite surveillance continues with the Indian Coast Guard & state authorities.
🔹 Shore cleanup: 66 containers & debris safely removed; 655 tons of plastic nurdles collected with support from 500+ volunteers daily.

👏 The Directorate General of Shipping thanks the Kerala State Government, INDIAN COAST GUARD, Kollam Port, Immigration, Customs, and partner agencies for their coordinated efforts.

The DGS remains committed to ensuring safe, effective, and environmentally responsible salvage operations.