by Lloyd's List
12 June 2025 (Lloyd's List) - THE fire on board a Wan Hai containership off the Indian coast has largely been brought under control, three days after an explosion ripped through the vessel.
Singapore-flagged Wan Hai 503 (IMO: 9294862) caught fire following an explosion off Kerala, India, on June 9.
Of the vessel’s 22 crew, 18 were rescued, with five injured. Four seafarers still remain missing, including two Taiwanese nationals, a Myanmar national and an Indonesian, according to a Lloyd’s List Intelligence casualty report.
The Indian Coast Guard said firefighting efforts have largely brought the blaze under control, although the vessel’s inner decks are still burning. Two firefighting vessels as well as a helicopter have been deployed in the effort, which is expected to be completed today.
Wan Hai 503 continues to drift 42 nautical miles off Beypore, on India’s southwest coast. The coastguard said the ship was still carrying more than 2,000 tonnes of fuel as well as hazardous cargo and still posed an environmental risk
Salvors have been winched on board to aid potential towing of the vessel, the coastguard said, which is still not possible thanks to “unfavourable seas”.
The focus for now, the agency said, is on fighting the fire and “preventing a marine disaster”.
Meanwhile, police in Kerala have reportedly filed a criminal case over the Mediterranean Shipping Co-owned vessel that sank in similar waters off Kerala last month, according to local media.
Liberia-flagged, 1997-built Elsa 3 (IMO: 9123221) developed a list when approaching Kochi on May 24. Only hours later, it capsized in rough seas. All crew members were eventually rescued.
Now, Kerala Coastal Police have filed a First Information Report against the owner, master and crew of the vessel, Times of India reported. An FIR initiates criminal proceedings in India.
The document accuses the crew of gross negligence, despite being aware of the vessel’s hazardous cargo, and suggests their mishandling led to its sinking. Statements from MSC representatives, the vessel’s master and crew members will now be recorded.
MSC has been approached for comment.
