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Time of India
13-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
A ship is burning bright near Kerala day and night with fuel and fear aboard
Oil spill advisories, slight tilt in the ship, risk of ship sinking, containers falling into the sea - a lot has happened since an explosion and a massive fire broke out below the deck of a Singapore-flagged vessel , M.V. Wan Hai 503, on June 9. The ship was sailing nearly 70 nautical miles off the Kerala coast near Kozhikode on Monday. The sailing fire has raised several environmental concerns as the ship continues to emit thick smoke. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) continued its efforts to control the fire until Thursday, June 12, as reported. The vessel remains unmanned and adrift, 65 nautical miles from Kozhikode, Kerala, as on Thursday. Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Sachet, carrying out firefighting operations over MV Wan Hai 503 , are still in the process of completely combating the fire and smoke. The Coast Guard team has deployed numerous measures to control the fire, rescue officers on-board and site surveillance. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued an advisory to warn of a potential oil spill. The government ministry has also issued an advisory warning of drifting containers as several containers fell from the ship due to the explosion. Reportedly, 10 to 15 of the fallen containers were spotted adrift on a course toward the Kerala coast. The ship was carrying hazardous substances , including solids that can spontaneously combust, flammable liquids and solids, and substances harmful to human health. Hence, the firefighting operations require caution and expert advice. The contents of the ship raise concerns about ocean water contamination, possibility of an explosion, and harm to marine life. There is a high probability that the containers and debris that went overboard from the vessel Wan Hai 503 may drift south-southeastwards from the accident location may beach Thalassery and Kochi in the next 4 – 5 days, said INCOIS on Thursday. The containers containing hazardous substances are likely to continue to drift in the ocean for the next 4-5 days and might take longer to beach. A few containers are at the risk of beaching between Kozhikode and Kochi. Some units are likely to sink to the seabed depending on their contents. This would pose further risk to marine life as the containers, along with their contents will spread hazardous substances deep inside the ocean water. INCIOS suggested that local authorities should increase surveillance and issue precautions as a preparatory measure for potential marine hazards such as navigational obstructions or shoreline contamination. The fire raises a threat of explosion because the ship tank contains approximately 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel, adjacent to the fire zone. This also poses a high risk of fire escalation. The ship has tilted approximately 10 to 15 degrees to its left, as stated by the Indian Coast Guard. The ship's tilt makes room for possibilities of the vessel to sink along with dangerous cargo, which will have adverse effects on marine life at a large scale. The listing of the ship is a major challenge for the rescuers. 'We can't say anything about the future of the ship and the dangerous cargo onboard the ship only after dousing the fire. However, we are hopeful that the fire could be contained,' a senior Union Shipping Ministry source told The Hindu. 'The vessels of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are doing their level best, but a positive outcome is highly unlikely as the fire continues to rage and spread. Since there are containers drifting around the vessel, firefighting vessels are struggling to pump water from a close range. At the same time, there are flammable substances in the containers,' an official source told TOI. ICG posted an update about MV Wan Hai 503 on Thursday, stating that firefighting operations have significantly reduced the blaze onboard. While conducting joint efforts with Indian Armed Forces, a massive amount of Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) has been air-dropped for fire control. IAF has dropped 4000 kg of DCP for controlling metal fire. However, amid several warnings, no oil spills and sheens have been reported so far. The vessel is held safely away from the coast. The firefighting operations are still underway by seven ICG ships alongside boundary cooling. The weather conditions continue to be adverse in the west Sea as ICG runs firefighting operations 24x7.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
A ship is burning bright near Kerala day and night with fuel and fear aboard
Oil spill advisories, slight tilt in the ship, risk of ship sinking, containers falling into the sea - a lot has happened since an explosion and a massive fire broke out below the deck of a Singapore-flagged vessel , M.V. Wan Hai 503, on June 9. The ship was sailing nearly 70 nautical miles off the Kerala coast near Kozhikode on Monday. The sailing fire has raised several environmental concerns as the ship continues to emit thick smoke. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) continued its efforts to control the fire until Thursday, June 12, as reported. The vessel remains unmanned and adrift, 65 nautical miles from Kozhikode, Kerala, as on Thursday. Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Sachet, carrying out firefighting operations over MV Wan Hai 503 , are still in the process of completely combating the fire and smoke. The Coast Guard team has deployed numerous measures to control the fire, rescue officers on-board and site surveillance. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued an advisory to warn of a potential oil spill. The government ministry has also issued an advisory warning of drifting containers as several containers fell from the ship due to the explosion. Reportedly, 10 to 15 of the fallen containers were spotted adrift on a course toward the Kerala coast. The ship was carrying hazardous substances , including solids that can spontaneously combust, flammable liquids and solids, and substances harmful to human health. Hence, the firefighting operations require caution and expert advice. The contents of the ship raise concerns about ocean water contamination, possibility of an explosion, and harm to marine life. There is a high probability that the containers and debris that went overboard from the vessel Wan Hai 503 may drift south-southeastwards from the accident location may beach Thalassery and Kochi in the next 4 – 5 days, said INCOIS on Thursday. The containers containing hazardous substances are likely to continue to drift in the ocean for the next 4-5 days and might take longer to beach. A few containers are at the risk of beaching between Kozhikode and Kochi. Live Events Some units are likely to sink to the seabed depending on their contents. This would pose further risk to marine life as the containers, along with their contents will spread hazardous substances deep inside the ocean water. INCIOS suggested that local authorities should increase surveillance and issue precautions as a preparatory measure for potential marine hazards such as navigational obstructions or shoreline contamination. The fire raises a threat of explosion because the ship tank contains approximately 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel, adjacent to the fire zone. This also poses a high risk of fire escalation. The ship has tilted approximately 10 to 15 degrees to its left, as stated by the Indian Coast Guard. The ship's tilt makes room for possibilities of the vessel to sink along with dangerous cargo, which will have adverse effects on marine life at a large scale. The listing of the ship is a major challenge for the rescuers. 'We can't say anything about the future of the ship and the dangerous cargo onboard the ship only after dousing the fire. However, we are hopeful that the fire could be contained,' a senior Union Shipping Ministry source told The Hindu. 'The vessels of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are doing their level best, but a positive outcome is highly unlikely as the fire continues to rage and spread. Since there are containers drifting around the vessel, firefighting vessels are struggling to pump water from a close range. At the same time, there are flammable substances in the containers,' an official source told TOI. ICG posted an update about MV Wan Hai 503 on Thursday, stating that firefighting operations have significantly reduced the blaze onboard. While conducting joint efforts with Indian Armed Forces, a massive amount of Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) has been air-dropped for fire control. IAF has dropped 4000 kg of DCP for controlling metal fire. However, amid several warnings, no oil spills and sheens have been reported so far. The vessel is held safely away from the coast. The firefighting operations are still underway by seven ICG ships alongside boundary cooling. The weather conditions continue to be adverse in the west Sea as ICG runs firefighting operations 24x7.
NDTV
12-06-2025
- General
- NDTV
Firefighting Efforts Intensify On Singapore Vessel After Kerala Coast Blast
Kochi/Mumbai: Indian Coast Guard and other agencies are working around the clock to contain a large fire aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire earlier this week after a container exploded off Kerala coast while en route to Mumbai from Colombo. "Around 40 per cent of the fire has now been brought under control. The vessel remains afloat but unmanned and is slowly drifting southeast in the Arabian Sea," according to updates shared by the Director General of Shipping. In a major step forward, a team of salvage experts and Coast Guard divers managed to board the vessel. This included the Salvage Master, who is now monitoring the situation from onboard. Efforts now focus on keeping the vessel away from the coast and fully extinguishing the fire, the authorities said. The firefighting efforts, focused on the ship's forward cargo holds, are being led by Indian Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Samarth. They are using foam and boundary cooling to stop the fire from spreading. "Hydrocarbon vapours have been observed by the salvage master, indicating possible heat transfer near fuel tanks. Continuous onboard assessments are being conducted to monitor any escalation," the DG Shipping said. At the same time, Rajdoot, Arnvesh, Abhinav, and ICGS 513 are carrying out search and rescue operations in the area. Of the 22 crew members on board the vessel, 18 were rescued while four remain missing. After an earlier attempt failed, a tow connection was successfully made between the cargo ship and the Emergency Towing Vessel Water Lily, as well as a Coast Guard asset. This was achieved through joint efforts by the Marine Emergency Response Centre (MERC) and ICG personnel. Authorities say there is still risk due to hazardous cargo and hydrocarbon vapours near the fuel tanks. However, officials from the Directorate General of Shipping say stabilisation work is ongoing, and daily meetings are being held with all involved, including the Indian Navy, maritime agencies, and the ship's owners. The Coast Guard also flew in five team members-- including three salvage experts and two rescue divers --to support the operation. Extra firefighting supplies, including more foam and dry chemical powder, are being sent in to assist the crew battling the blaze, officials said.
Deccan Herald
12-06-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Firefighting efforts intensify aboard Singapore vessel after explosion off Kerala coast
The firefighting efforts, focused on the ship's forward cargo holds, are being led by Indian Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Samarth.
The Print
12-06-2025
- General
- The Print
Firefighting efforts intensify aboard Singapore vessel after explosion off Kerala coast
In a major step forward, a team of salvage experts and Coast Guard divers managed to board the vessel. 'Around 40 per cent of the fire has now been brought under control. The vessel remains afloat but unmanned and is slowly drifting southeast in the Arabian Sea,' according to updates shared by the Director General of Shipping. Kochi/Mumbai, Jun 12 (PTI) Indian Coast Guard and other agencies are working around the clock to contain a large fire aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire earlier this week after a container exploded off Kerala coast while en route to Mumbai from Colombo. This included the Salvage Master, who is now monitoring the situation from onboard. Efforts now focus on keeping the vessel away from the coast and fully extinguishing the fire, the authorities said. The firefighting efforts, focused on the ship's forward cargo holds, are being led by Indian Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Samarth. They are using foam and boundary cooling to stop the fire from spreading. 'Hydrocarbon vapours have been observed by the salvage master, indicating possible heat transfer near fuel tanks. Continuous onboard assessments are being conducted to monitor any escalation,' the DG Shipping said. At the same time, Rajdoot, Arnvesh, Abhinav, and ICGS 513 are carrying out search and rescue operations in the area. Of the 22 crew members on board the vessel, 18 were rescued while four remain missing. After an earlier attempt failed, a tow connection was successfully made between the cargo ship and the Emergency Towing Vessel Water Lily, as well as a Coast Guard asset. This was achieved through joint efforts by the Marine Emergency Response Centre (MERC) and ICG personnel. Authorities say there is still risk due to hazardous cargo and hydrocarbon vapours near the fuel tanks. However, officials from the Directorate General of Shipping say stabilisation work is ongoing, and daily meetings are being held with all involved, including the Indian Navy, maritime agencies, and the ship's owners. The Coast Guard also flew in five team members– including three salvage experts and two rescue divers –to support the operation. Extra firefighting supplies, including more foam and dry chemical powder, are being sent in to assist the crew battling the blaze, officials said. PTI IAS/TGB TGB ROH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
