A Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, MV Wan Hai 503, caught fire off the coast of Kerala on Monday morning after a container reportedly exploded on board. The vessel was en route from Colombo to Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, when the incident occurred around 9:20 am IST, approximately 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal in Kannur district and about 130 nautical miles northwest of Kochi.
Out of the 22 crew members on board, 18 managed to abandon the vessel and were rescued by joint teams from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. These survivors are currently being transported to Mangaluru Port onboard INS Surat. However, four crew members are still unaccounted for, and an extensive search and rescue operation is ongoing.
The crew included nationals from several countries—eight Chinese, six Taiwanese, five from Myanmar, and three Indonesians. Initial reports indicate that the fire began in the midsection of the 270-metre-long vessel and spread rapidly. It has since left the ship adrift, and up to 15 containers are believed to have fallen into the sea.
The Indian Coast Guard quickly launched an emergency response, deploying five ships and two Dornier aircraft for firefighting support and aerial monitoring. The Coast Guard’s specialised vessels have also been mobilised to contain any environmental threats from potential hazardous cargo.
The situation escalated after the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mumbai received a distress signal—first picked up by the MV Cape Valencia. Nearby merchant vessels, including MV AMBRA and MV ONE MARVEL, were redirected to assist in the rescue under the International Safety Net protocol.
Dense smoke continues to rise from the burning vessel, with fears of further explosions or possible structural collapse. Maritime traffic in the vicinity has been advised to steer clear of the area.
Authorities have confirmed that the ship was carrying hazardous materials, including flammable liquids, solids, and toxic substances. According to Captain Arun Kumar P K from Azhikkal Port, the cargo includes chemicals falling under Class 3 (flammable liquids), Class 4.1 and 4.2 (flammable solids and spontaneously combustible substances), and Class 4.6 (toxic substances).
Singapore’s Flag Administration has been informed, while India’s Directorate General of Shipping has directed the ship’s owners to take urgent action. Specialized salvage firm SMIT Salvage has been contacted for support, and the owners have been asked to provide regular two-hour updates on the condition of the vessel and cargo.
Authorities stressed that the top priority remains the safety of the missing crew and the containment of the fire to avoid further damage or environmental fallout. Notably, this is the second maritime incident in Kerala waters within a month. On May 24, a Liberian-flagged vessel, MSC ELSA-3, sank 14.6 nautical miles off the coast, raising ongoing concerns about maritime safety in the region.
