Fire and explosions on MV Wan Hai 503 off Indian Coast: salvage ops underway
A major incident has unfolded aboard the Singapore-flagged containership MV Wan Hai 503 approximately 44 nautical miles west of Azhikkal, Kerala, in the early morning hours of June 9. A fire broke out amidships and rapidly spread forward toward the container bays, triggering a series of explosions. The vessel is reportedly listing 10–15 degrees to port, with dozens of containers lost overboard.
In brief
A fire broke out on the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503 about 44 nautical miles west of Azhikkal in the Indian state of Kerala, and the vessel listed about 10 to 15 degrees to port. The Indian Coast Guard deployed the ships ICGS Samudra Prahari, ICGS Sachet and ICGS Samarth, while INS Surat evacuated 18 crew members to the port of Mangalore. The search covers 4 missing seafarers, about 50 containers fell overboard, and about 100 tonnes of bunker fuel on board pose a risk of environmental contamination. MV Wan Hai 503, with a capacity of 4,300 TEU, was sailing from Colombo to Nhava Sheva with 22 crew members, and the shipowner contracted SMIT Salvage.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) responded swiftly, deploying ICGS Samudra Prahari and ICGS Sachet to conduct firefighting (Fi-Fi) and boundary cooling operations. Additionally, ICGS Samarth was mobilized from Kochi along with marine salvage experts.
The Indian Navy’s INS Surat successfully evacuated 18 of the vessel’s 22 crew members to Mangalore. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing for four missing seafarers — reported to be nationals of Taiwan, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
Initial reports indicate that around 50 containers have fallen overboard, some of which are believed to contain hazardous materials. The vessel is carrying approximately 100 tonnes of bunker fuel, raising concerns of a potential marine pollution incident.
Forecasts from INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services) warn that floating debris may drift southeastward over the next 72 hours, potentially impacting the coastal waters between Kozhikode and Kochi — an area vital for artisanal fisheries and coastal shipping.
The MV Wan Hai 503 is a 4,300 TEU capacity containership operated by Wan Hai Lines. The vessel was en route from Colombo (Sri Lanka) to Nhava Sheva (India) as part of an intra-Asia loop.
Of the 22 crew members on board, 14 are believed to be of Chinese nationality (including Taiwanese nationals). At least five crew members sustained injuries, with medical treatment administered aboard the responding naval vessel.
Salvage operations are being undertaken by SMIT Salvage, contracted by the vessel owner. The priorities include full fire suppression, structural stabilization, and recovery of lost cargo. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has dispatched representatives to the site to assist with the ongoing investigation and coordination efforts.
The Wan Hai 503 incident underscores the persistent risks associated with containerized maritime trade, particularly when hazardous goods and bunker fuels are involved. It also highlights the importance of well-coordinated multinational emergency response capabilities in protecting both life and the marine environment. As maritime traffic continues to surge along Asia’s critical trade lanes, preparedness and rapid intervention remain essential.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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