Massive Fire Puts Kerala’s Coastal Waters at Risk
On June 9, 2025, a massive fire broke out aboard MV Wan Hai 503, a Singaporean container ship located about 42 nautical miles from Beypore, Kerala. The vessel, carrying 1.2 lakh metric tons of fuel and hazardous cargo, is still drifting south-eastward in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Despite tireless firefighting efforts, the fire continues to burn—especially in the inner decks near fuel tanks—raising fears of a potential ecological disaster.
Indian Coast Guard Takes Swift Action
In a high-risk mission on June 11, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) winched five expert salvage personnel and one aircrew diver onto the blazing ship. Their mission: support the towing operation and prevent the ship from drifting closer to shore.
Currently, five ICG ships, two Dornier aircraft, and a helicopter are battling the blaze. These teams are also being assisted by two support vessels from the Directorate General of Shipping. The Indian Air Force has also been called upon for additional aerial firefighting and surveillance.
Firefighting Efforts Yield Mixed Results
Thanks to coordinated operations, visible flames have been reduced significantly. Only thick smoke is now emerging from cargo holds. However, the fire is still active deep inside the vessel, particularly near critical fuel storage areas.
According to official reports, establishing a secure towline remains a priority to drag the ship away from coastal areas and into deeper waters, minimizing risk to both marine life and regional shipping lanes.
Threat of Marine Pollution Looms
Environmentalists have raised alarm about the possible oil spill and chemical leakage. With the presence of hazardous cargo, even a small breach in containment could lead to catastrophic pollution, damaging marine biodiversity in the Arabian Sea.
India has faced such threats before. The 2021 incident involving MV X-Press Pearl near Sri Lanka caused significant ecological damage. The MV Wan Hai 503 incident could potentially mirror such a scenario if not contained quickly.
Coordinated Salvage Operations in Progress
The ship’s owners have appointed a professional salvage team, which is working in close coordination with Indian authorities. These combined efforts aim to:
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Fully extinguish the remaining fire
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Stabilize the vessel
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Begin controlled towing
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Secure hazardous materials
With continuous air and sea support, the rescue and response framework is operating 24/7, under tight surveillance.
Government Remains on High Alert
The Ministry of Shipping, ICG, and Ministry of Defence are jointly monitoring developments. Emergency environmental response protocols have also been kept on standby by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Conclusion: A Race Against Time
As MV Wan Hai 503 continues to drift, every moment counts. The Indian Coast Guard’s bravery and quick response may prevent a disaster, but the danger is far from over. With hazardous cargo still onboard and fire smoldering inside, this operation represents a critical moment in India’s maritime security and environmental protection strategy.
