CMLRE launches research cruise to study impact of hazardous cargo spill off Kochi
The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology began a 10-day research cruise from Kochi on 3 June 2025 to study the impact of a sunken cargo vessel carrying hazardous containers.
Summary
The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, announced on 3 June 2025 a focused oceanographic research cruise to study the ecological and biogeochemical impact of the sinking of a cargo vessel off Kochi. The vessel was carrying 643 containers, 13 of them known to contain hazardous materials. The cruise, scheduled from 3 to 12 June 2025, operates on a Kochi-to-Kochi loop in the southeastern Arabian Sea, with 16 research stations around the wreck site. It will assess impacts on marine life, fisheries, water chemistry and sediments, using instruments such as the Long-Range SONAR SX90 and split-beam echo sounders.
Key facts
- Date
- Cruise 3–12 Jun 2025
- Agency
- CMLRE, Ministry of Earth Sciences
- Incident
- Cargo vessel sank off Kochi with 643 containers (13 hazardous)
- Area
- Southeastern Arabian Sea; Kochi-to-Kochi loop
- Stations
- 16 research stations
- Instruments
- Long-Range SONAR SX90, split-beam echo sounders
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences launched a research cruise from Kochi on 3 June 2025 to study a hazardous cargo spill?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology
The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, launched the oceanographic research cruise operating out of Kochi.
How many of the 643 containers on the cargo vessel that sank off Kochi were known to contain hazardous materials?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 13
The sunken cargo vessel was carrying 643 containers, of which 13 were known to contain hazardous materials.