A major fire broke out onboard the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 (IMO No: 9294862) following a container explosion. The incident occurred at approximately 0920 hrs IST on 09 Jun 25, around 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala and 130 nautical miles northwest of Kochi. The vessel was enroute from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, with an expected time of arrival (ETA) on 10 Jun 2025. The fire rapidly engulfed the midsection of the vessel, which is currently adrift. Preliminary reports suggest that 10-15 containers have fallen overboard.
The vessel was carrying 22 crew members, including 08 Chinese, 06 Taiwanese, 05 Myanmarese, and 03 Indonesian nationals. Following the explosion and escalation of the fire, the crew abandoned the ship. 18 crew members have been rescued, while 04 remain missing.
A search and rescue operation is currently underway. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) initiated an immediate response, deploying two Dornier aircraft equipped with life rafts for aerial surveillance and situational assessment. Five ICG ships, including specialised firefighting and pollution response vessels, have been mobilised to the incident site.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai, activated the International Safety Net (ISN), prompting nearby merchant vessels MV AMBRA and MV ONE MARVEL to divert and assist in the rescue effort. The distress alert was initially relayed by MV Cape Valencia to MRCC Mumbai.
The vessel continues to emit dense smoke, and the onboard fire poses a risk of further explosions and structural failure. Maritime traffic in the area has been advised to maintain a safe distance from the vessel. The Flag Administration of Singapore has been formally notified.
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), India, has instructed the ship’s owners to immediately engage qualified salvors and firefighting experts. Preliminary contact has been established with SMIT Salvage for specialized support. Owners have also been directed to provide an urgent assessment and disclosure of the nature of cargo in the affected containers.
The DGS remains in continuous coordination with all stakeholders, including the ship management team, to ensure a unified emergency response. Owners have been instructed to provide two-hourly updates until the situation is stabilised. Saving lives and containing the fire remain the highest priorities. The situation is being monitored closely, and further updates will be shared as developments unfold.
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