The MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged container vessel, has been at the center of a significant incident following a fire that erupted aboard the ship. The Director General (DG) Shipping revealed a complete cargo manifest for the vessel, confirming that it carried a total of 1,754 containers. Out of these, 1,083 were stored in the cargo hold below deck, while 671 were on deck.
Three days post-blast, efforts to control the fire have continued, with the Coast Guard successfully managing to contain the flames. However, a lingering blaze remains within the cargo hold. To assist in firefighting operations, an Indian Air Force Mi helicopter is scheduled to transport fire retardant dry chemical powder from Kozhikode.
Salvage efforts are under way, with teams from the Coast Guard descending onto the vessel to establish a towline for future towing after the fire is fully extinguished. Unfortunately, some containers have reportedly fallen into the sea, complicating the recovery efforts. Concerns arise particularly regarding the 143 containers identified as carrying hazardous materials, such as flammable liquids and toxic substances. Experts highlight the difficulty of retrieving these lost containers, as they likely rest on the seabed at depths exceeding 1,000 meters.
The ship was transporting a substantial amount of fuel, around 122,128 tonnes, which heightens the environmental risks associated with the incident. The Coast Guard has acknowledged that the fire poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and nearby shipping lanes. In response, a coordinated firefighting operation is in effect, featuring five Coast Guard ships, two Dornier aircraft, and a helicopter actively battling the blaze, accompanied by additional vessels from the DG Shipping.
To bolster these efforts, five tugs have been mobilized, and tug Saroja Blessing is delivering a firefighting compound weighing 1,000 kg. Additionally, international firefighting specialists from Spain, the UK, and the Netherlands may soon be engaged, pending visa approvals expected within the next 48 hours.
As the vessel drifts at approximately 1 knot, situated around 65 nautical miles off the Beypore coast, investigations are progressing. Representatives from the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore have arrived in Mangaluru to discuss the situation with DG Shipping officials. The combination of firefighting, salvage, and investigative efforts highlights the incident’s complexity and the critical need to mitigate environmental risks and ensure maritime safety.
