Two Shipping Accidents Off Kerala Underscore Urgency of High Seas Treaty

Two Shipping Accidents Off Kerala Underscore Urgency of High Seas Treaty

NICE, France, June 15, 2025 – Two major shipping disasters off India’s Kerala coast have spotlighted the need for stronger maritime laws. The incidents, raised at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, from June 9-13, underscore the urgency of ratifying the High Seas Treaty.

The Liberia-flagged MSC Elsa 3 sank off Kochi in May, spilling hazardous cargo and fuel. Over 100 containers drifted toward Kerala’s shores, threatening marine ecosystems. In June, the Singapore-flagged M.V. Wan Hai 503 caught fire off Beypore after an explosion, releasing toxic pollutants. Kumar Sahayaraju of Friends of Marine Life (FML), a Thiruvananthapuram-based group, presented these cases at UNOC3, calling for accountability. “Current maritime laws are inadequate,” he said, urging the UN to enforce regulations on chemical and plastic transport.

The High Seas Treaty, formally the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement, aims to protect international waters, which cover two-thirds of the ocean. Adopted in 2023, it needs 60 ratifications to take effect. At UNOC3, 18 new countries ratified, bringing the total to 49, with the European Union. French President Emmanuel Macron said 15 more ratifications are expected by year-end, enabling enforcement in early 2026.

The treaty allows nations to create marine protected areas (MPAs) in high seas, currently less than 1% protected. It also requires environmental impact assessments for activities like shipping and mining. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged swift ratification, citing threats like pollution and collapsing fish stocks.
India, a signatory since 2024, is unlikely to ratify soon due to pending legislative changes. Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized India’s marine conservation efforts, including a single-use plastic ban and the Samudrayaan mission.

FML demanded mandatory tracking devices for hazardous cargo to prevent future disasters. Experts warn that without the treaty, Kerala’s incidents could repeat globally, endangering oceans and coastal communities. UNOC3’s Nice Ocean Action Plan, to be presented in July, aims to turn pledges into action.

The conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, drew over 10,000 attendees. It highlighted the ocean’s role in climate stability, absorbing 30% of CO2 emissions. With only 2.7% of oceans effectively protected, the 30% by 2030 goal remains distant.

As salvage operations continue in Kerala, the call for a legally binding High Seas Treaty grows louder, aiming to safeguard the planet’s largest ecosystem.