Explosion, fire on Wan Hai boxship off India’s Kerala; Four crew missing

Photo credit: Indian Coast Guard

The Singapore-flagged containership Wan Hai 503 which caught fire approximately 80 km southwest of Azhikkal, Kerala, India on June 9 at about 1230hrs Singapore time have left four crew members missing, according to officials.

The 2005-built vessel, managed by Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) Pte Ltd., had 22 crew members onboard at the time. As it is reported, there are no Singaporeans onboard.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has been notified by the Indian authorities that 18 crew were safely transferred from lifeboats to an Indian navy ship, which is en route to New Mangalore Port.

Four crew – two from Taiwan, one from Myanmar, and one from Indonesia remain missing, the MPA said in an update today. The MPA reported that search and rescue operations are ongoing supported by the Indian coast guard and the Indian navy who are rendering assistance to the crew and conducting search and rescue operations for the missing crew.

According to the MPA, of the 18 rescued crew, five are reported to have sustained injuries. The injured crew are receiving medical treatment onboard the Indian navy ship en route to port.

As at 20:30 on June 9 (Singapore time), a total of 3 vessels have been deployed by the Indian coast guard and the Indian navy to support the search and rescue operations. Aircraft have also been deployed to assist.

Dramatic pictures and videos shared by the Indian coast guard on social media platform X showed a thick plume of black smoke rising from the ship.

An underdeck explosion followed by a fire while navigating approximately 48 nautical miles southwest of Kannur, India on June 9 was reported on board the Singapore-flagged container ship by the shipping claims specialist WK Webster.

“It is reported that approximately 50 containers aboard the vessel fell into the sea during the accident, and 18 crew members jumped into the sea during the blaze,” WK Webster added in its statement.

Local authorities have requested that mariners transiting the area proceed to the specified location to render firefighting assistance.

“India Coast Guard has mobilized multiple assets to assist in dousing the blaze and rescuing crew. Vessel is still emitting dense smoke, raising fears of secondary explosions,” the Indian coast guard said on social media X, adding that “the situation remains critical.” “All efforts are being made to stabilize the vessel and ensure the safety of remaining crew members and the marine environment.”

MPA is in close contact with the vessel’s management company to provide support and is monitoring the situation closely. MPA will be investigating the incident.

The vessel, which was en route to Nhava Sheva, had departed Colombo on June 7 and was expected to arrive in Nhava Sheva on June 10, according to Marine Traffic data.

The claims specialist WK Webster warns now that possible general average, salvage and recovery issues may arise as a result of this incident.

Officials did not disclose what was the cause of the incident. A team from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is en route to support the Indian authorities, the authority said on June 9.

The incident is under development and updates will be provided when further information becomes available.

Video credit: Indian Coast Guard

Video credit: Indian Coast Guard