Major Maritime Incident Unfolds as Container Ship Catches Fire off Kerala Coast
A Singapore-flagged container ship, the M V Wan Hai 503, caught fire on Monday while located 78 nautical miles off the coast of Beypore in Kerala. The incident has prompted a significant and coordinated rescue operation, with four of the ship's 22 crew members currently reported as missing. The vessel, which was en route from Colombo to Navi Mumbai, remains adrift and continues to emit smoke from an underdeck fire that has reportedly engulfed the entire ship.
Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The Indian Navy was alerted to the fire around 10:30 am on Monday. The crew, predominantly of Taiwanese nationality, was forced to abandon the vessel, taking to lifeboats and life rafts. Of the crew members who escaped, five sustained injuries, with two reported to be in serious condition. The merchant vessel MV ONE MARVEL, which was in the vicinity, was alerted and directed to the site to assist in picking up the rescued crew.
The M V Wan Hai 503 had departed from Colombo on June 7 and was scheduled to arrive at NPC Mumbai on June 10. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and official sources have requested the ship's owners to provide immediate information on the nature of the cargo in the affected hold to ascertain if any hazardous materials are involved. As of now, there is no confirmation on whether dangerous goods contributed to the fire or any potential explosion.
Coordinated Rescue and Response Efforts
The Indian Coast Guard and Navy responded swiftly to the emergency. Both agencies deployed Dornier aircraft equipped with life rafts to provide aerial support and assess the situation. The Coast Guard dispatched two of its surface ships, which were expected to reach the vessel's location within three hours of the initial alert. In total, five ships were deployed by the Coast Guard.
A naval warship operating in the area was also diverted to the scene, with an estimated arrival time of approximately 5 pm. In addition to the official response, nearby merchant vessels, including MV AMBRA and MV ONE MARVEL, were directed to proceed to the location to offer immediate assistance.
Onshore, disaster management authorities have been placed on alert. Shekhar Kuriakose, Member-Secretary of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, confirmed that the district collectors of Kozhikode and Ernakulam have been instructed to ensure that medical treatment is ready for the injured crew members once they are brought to the coast. He also noted that there is currently no information from the Coast Guard regarding any potential environmental repercussions along the Kerala coast from the vessel fire.
Navigational Hazards and Ongoing Management
The situation report has highlighted that the fire poses a significant risk of further explosions. There is also a concern about potential navigational hazards from any containers that may have drifted from the ship. These risks will be fully assessed upon the arrival of the Coast Guard vessels. As a precautionary measure, all nearby maritime traffic has been alerted to maintain a safe distance and reduce speed when in the vicinity of the distressed vessel.
The Directorate of Shipping is maintaining continuous communication with the Coast Guard, the Navy, and the ship's management team to ensure a coordinated and effective emergency response. The vessel is managed by Wan Hai Lines, and its owners have been directed to appoint professional salvors and firefighting experts to manage the situation. Preliminary contact has been established with the renowned salvage company SMIT Salvage for specialized assistance.
The Flag Administration of Singapore, where the vessel is registered, has also been formally notified of the incident. The Indian shipping directorate has urged them to advise the ship's owners on the immediate appointment of qualified experts to assess the cargo and support the ongoing firefighting operations, a crucial step given the unknown nature of the contents on board. The situation remains evolving as rescue and containment efforts continue.
