Firefighting Operation Continues on Wan Hai 503 Off the Coast of India

The fire-fighting operation is currently underway on the Singapore-registered container vessel Wan Hai 503, which is located off the coast of India. At the same time, search and rescue efforts are ongoing to locate four missing crew members.

A fire broke out on Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) Pte Ltd.-managed container ship Wan Hai 503 on June 9 off the coast of Kerala, India. The incident was triggered by multiple explosions, prompting several crew members to jump overboard in order to escape the flames.

According to the latest update from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the firefighting operation is still in progress. Additional fire-fighting vessels have been deployed by Indian authorities and the vessel owner is expected to arrive at the scene to provide assistance.

Of the 18 crew members who were rescued earlier, all have safely reached New Mangalore Port. Six of the injured individuals have been transferred to a shore medical facility, with three of them already discharged after receiving treatment.

Search and rescue operations are actively being conducted to locate the four missing crew members. Aerial surveillance is also being utilized to support these efforts. The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy have deployed a total of three vessels to assist in the search and rescue operations.

MPA has been collaborating with the vessel’s classification society and Indian authorities to provide technical information that aids in stabilizing the situation and managing the fire. This includes guidance on fire containment measures, assessment of fire conditions onboard, and monitoring the vessel’s stability.

MPA stated, “We are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with Indian authorities, including assessing the vessel’s structural integrity and potential environmental impact. Updates will be shared as more information becomes available.”