ICG Battles Fire on Drifting Cargo Vessel off Kerala Coast

In a high-stakes marine operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has ramped up firefighting and salvage efforts to contain a raging fire aboard the Singaporean container ship MV Wan Hai 503, which has been drifting dangerously off the Kerala coast since June 9, 2025. The ship, loaded with over 2,100 metric tons of fuel and hazardous cargo, poses a serious environmental and navigational risk as it remains within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Why in News?

A major fire broke out aboard MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged container ship, on June 9. The vessel continues to drift southeast near Beypore, Kerala, with the fire still active in inner compartments. ICG launched a full-scale operation involving ships, aircraft, and helicopters to control the fire and prevent an ecological disaster. The incident underscores India’s growing focus on maritime security and environmental protection in its EEZ.

Nature of the Incident

• Date of Incident: Fire broke out on June 9, 2025.
• Vessel: MV Wan Hai 503 (Singaporean-flagged container ship).
• Current Location: ~42 nautical miles off Beypore, drifting southeast in Indian EEZ.

Cargo Onboard

• 2,128 metric tons of fuel.
• Hundreds of containers, including hazardous materials.

ICG Response and Operations

• Personnel Deployment: 5 salvage team members and an aircrew diver were winched onto the ship.
• Firefighting Assets: 5 ICG ships, 2 Dornier aircraft, and 1 helicopter.
• Support from: Directorate General of Shipping and Indian Air Force (requested).

Fire Status

• Flames subdued externally; smoke persists in cargo areas.
• Fire active in inner decks, especially near fuel tanks.

Mitigation Measure

• Towline Establishment
• Continuous Monitoring
• International Coordination
• Potential multinational response if situation escalates.