by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor
Update: 19.08.2025
Weeks after the fire incident that hit containership Wan Hai 503, the Taiwanese liner is still seeking a port of refuge for the ship, says a Trade Winds report.
On 9 June, the vessel experienced an explosion and subsequent fire while sailing from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Nhava Sheva, India.
The incident claimed the lives of four seafarers and caused significant damage to the vessel.
Wan Hai's latest update, dated 15 August, confirms that the ship " is stable and remains under close monitoring."
"The vessel is currently being towed by the salvage team and is located in waters near the India–Sri Lanka maritime boundary," adds the liner.
Experts believe that deciding the port of refuge depends on two factors: the overall suitability for the vessel and the handling of fire-damaged cargo.
Nevertheless, Hapag-Lloyd informed customers last week that the request for a port of refuge in Sri Lanka had been declined, and the vessel would have to be towed outside the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Seaexplorer tracking shows that the ship, initially deployed on the Wan Hai's CIX service, is currently off the Coast of Kerala, India.
Original article: 04.07.2025
4 July 2025 (Lloyd's List) - THE fire on board Wan Hai 503 (IMO: 9294862) has been suppressed, with salvage teams starting to plan boarding the Singapore-flagged vessel, its shipowner said.
The 4,252 teu containership was en route from Colombo to Mumbai when an explosion occurred around 1230 hrs on June 9. Four crew members remain missing.
“Wan Hai 503 remains afloat in the waters southwest of India, where response operations are actively ongoing,” Wan Hai Lines said in a casualty update on July 3.
"The onboard fire has been gradually brought under control, though light smoke is still observed in some cargo holds.”
It added that once the ship's condition stabilizes and temperature drops to safe levels, the salvor will commence "a comprehensive on-board inspection and assessment."
Indian authorities said the accident was likely caused by a misdeclared cargo of explosives and have reportedly launched a criminal investigation of the ship's master and crew.
The country's delegate at the International Maritime Organization earlier said the vessel carried 147 dangerous containers and 65 had washed ashore, "causing panic among coastal residents."
Wan Hai 503 is one of a series of containerships that have experienced fire incidents recently, which also includes the sinking on May 25 of the Liberia-flaggedMSC Elsa 3 (IMO: 9123221) about 33 nautical miles south of Kochi India.
India had urged the IMO to develop stronger regulations for safe containerships, cargo management and crew protection “on a war footing.”
