The sinking of the MSC Elsa-3 off the coast of Kerala on May 24/25, 2025, represents a significant maritime disaster, particularly impacting the raw cashew nut supply chain for Indian importers.
Vessel Details: The MSC Elsa-3 was a Liberian-flagged cargo vessel. Its exact route and destination at the time of sinking (from Vizhinjam to Kochi) indicates its role in coastal shipping within India or transshipment operations.
- Location and Timing: The sinking occurred off the coast of Alappuzha/Kochi, Kerala, between May 24th and 25th, 2025. This timing places it amidst the peak period for raw cashew nut imports and processing.
- Lost Cargo: The most crucial impact was the loss of valuable cargo, specifically raw cashew nut consignments. These belonged to multiple Indian importers, with a notable concentration among businesses in Kollam, Kerala. Kollam is famously known as the “Cashew Capital of the World” due to its dense concentration of cashew processing units and its historical reliance on both domestic and imported raw materials.