X-Press Pearl Disaster: Sri Lanka's Worst Marine Ecological Crisis and Multi-Year Recovery

The X-Press Pearl incident represents one of the most significant maritime environmental disasters in recent history. In May 2021, the container ship carrying nearly 1,500 containers caught fire while anchored approximately 10 kilometers off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The fire burned for two weeks, reaching temperatures of at least 1,500 degrees Celsius.

The vessel carried a dangerous cargo including 25 tons of nitric acid, other chemicals, cosmetics, and low-density polyethylene pellets. Despite extensive firefighting efforts, the X-Press Pearl began taking on water and sank while salvors attempted to tow it to deeper waters. The incident was immediately recognized as the worst marine ecological disaster in Sri Lankan history.

Environmental impact was severe and widespread. Over 1,000 metric tonnes of nurdles and debris washed ashore, requiring extensive cleanup operations. Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) concluded its primary response operations in August 2021. Preliminary damage estimates reached $6.5 billion, reflecting both environmental harm and economic impacts on coastal communities.

The salvage operation proved equally challenging. X-Press Feeders contracted Shanghai Salvage Company in November 2021 to remove the wreck from the seabed at approximately 20 meters depth. Rough seas complicated the work, requiring salvagers to cut the vessel into three pieces for lifting.

The aft section was removed in January 2023, followed by the fore section in December 2023. The Shanghai Salvage Company completed raising the forward section on December 22, 2023, with the final piece departing Sri Lankan waters for Indonesia on January 10, 2024.

This operation highlighted critical lessons about hazardous cargo management, emergency response in developing regions, and the long-term commitment required for environmental recovery. The incident has influenced international discussions about container ship safety regulations and emergency response protocols for vessels carrying dangerous goods in coastal waters.