Singapore Vessel Blaze: MV Wan Hai 503 Towed Further Offshore as Firefighting Operations Intensify

1,000 kg of Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) successfully dispersed directly onto the Singapore-flagged container ship

Kerala Coast, June 14, 2025 — In a coordinated and high-stakes operation, Indian defence and maritime authorities have towed the fire-stricken Singapore-flagged cargo ship MV Wan Hai 503 further away from the Kerala coast as firefighting efforts continue for the fourth consecutive day.

The vessel, which caught fire earlier this week while en route from Colombo to Mumbai, has now been repositioned to 40 nautical miles offshore, up from its earlier position 27 nautical miles from the coast, defence sources confirmed.

Towing Underway Amid Harsh Weather

The towing operation was carried out under challenging conditions, with heavy seas limiting the movement of vessels. Using a Seaking helicopter from the Southern Naval Command, salvors were airlifted onto the deck of the burning ship to successfully shift tow cables from Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships to the designated tug vessels.

“Towing speed has been restricted to 1.5 knots due to heavy weather,” read a statement from the Indian Navy.

Multiple vessels, including ICG ships Saksham, Samarth, Vikram, INS Sharda, and offshore support vessel Triton Liberty, are actively involved in escorting the operation. The towing itself is being handled by tugs Offshore Warrior, Garnett, and Water Lily.

Ongoing Firefighting Efforts

Despite challenging sea conditions, firefighting operations continue around the clock. The fire, reportedly triggered by an explosion in one of the cargo containers, had initially engulfed a significant portion of the ship’s deck.

As per an earlier update from the Directorate General of Shipping, approximately 40% of the blaze had been contained by Thursday. However, given the volatile nature of cargo fires — especially involving potentially hazardous materials — full extinguishment may take more time.

Casualties and Crew Update

Tragically, of the 22 crew members aboard the vessel, 18 have been rescued safely while four remain unaccounted for. Rescue operations continue in parallel with firefighting and towing efforts.

Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the explosion, though an investigation is likely to follow once the fire is fully under control and the vessel stabilized.

What’s Next?

This incident highlights the importance of rapid response capabilities in maritime emergencies, especially along high-traffic commercial routes like those off the southwestern coast of India. The coordinated efforts of the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, and marine salvage teams have helped prevent a potential environmental disaster near Kerala’s coastline.

As of now, the priority remains ensuring the complete extinguishment of the fire, securing the vessel, and locating the missing crew members.