India Rescues 18 Crew Members as Singapore‑Registered Cargo Ship Burns Off Kerala Coast

By [Subham Malakar], Maritime Correspondent
Published: June 10, 2025 · Updated: June 10, 2025, 20:00 IST

Incident Overview

On the morning of June 9, 2025, multiple explosions ripped through the Singapore‑flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503, about 78 nautical miles off the Beypore coast in Kerala. Thick black smoke and towering flames engulfed stacked containers, forcing crew members to abandon ship in lifeboats and life rafts. The vessel was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) with 22 crew onboard when an under‑deck blast was reported around 10:30 AM local time indiatoday.in.

• Vessel: MV Wan Hai 503 (268 m length; 1,754 containers)
• Cargo: 2,128 MT fuel, hazardous materials (flammable liquids, toxic substances) apnews.com
• Location: 78 NM off Beypore port, Kerala coast
• Crew: 22 on board (predominantly Taiwanese; others from Indonesia and Myanmar)

Swift Response

• Indian Coast Guard (ICG) dispatched ICGS Sachetan and ICGS Sachet, plus a Dornier aircraft for aerial surveillance.
• Indian Navy deployed INS Surat and a Sea King helicopter to assist firefighting and SAR (Search & Rescue).
• Merchant vessels MV One Marvel and MV Ambara diverted to pick up survivors.

By late afternoon, 18 crew members were safely transferred to INS Surat and later disembarked at New Mangalore Port. Four crew remain missing as search operations continue apnews.comstraitstimes.com.

Expert Insight

“Under the SOLAS Convention, firefighting protocols and crew‑abandonment drills are rigorously enforced. The prompt containment of 40% of the blaze within hours highlights the effectiveness of these measures.”
— Dr. Priya Menon, Maritime Safety Specialist, Indian Maritime University (Profile)

Dr. Menon explains that modern container vessels carry mixed cargos—including hazardous materials—that significantly raise firefighting complexity. She emphasizes regular joint exercises between ICG and Navy units have been critical in saving lives at sea.

What Happens Next?

1. Ongoing SAR: Coast Guard and Navy assets—ships and a Dornier—are scouring a 100 NM radius for the four missing crew.
2. Tow & Containment: Salvage tug Offshore Warrior will tow MV Wan Hai 503 to deeper waters, maintaining at least a 50 NM buffer from the coast newindianexpress.com.
3. Environmental Monitoring: Authorities monitor debris and possible toxic spillage; local fishing restrictions remain in effect within a 20 NM radius.

Daily Digest: Wan Hai 503 Fire

• June 9, 10:30 AM: Explosion underdeck, fire reported to MRCC Mumbai.
• June 9, 1 PM: First 12 crew rescued by merchant vessels.
• June 9, 6 PM: ICG rescues remaining 6 survivors; four still missing.
• June 10: Towline attached; firefighting continues; blaze ~40% contained.
• June 13: Salvage tug takes over towing; ship 35 NM off Kochi; hotspots remain.

Fact‑Check

Sources & Further Reading

• AP News: Indian authorities attempt to tow container ship… apnews.com
• People: 4 Crew Members Missing… people.com
• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) media release, June 9, 2025 straitstimes.com
• IMO SOLAS Convention: Fire safety provisions (IMO.org)