‘Wan Hai 503’ Transferred Beyond Indian Waters Following Crew Tragedy

A recent publication by the Indian Coast Guard reveals that the container ship Wan Hai 503, flying the Singapore flag, has been moved beyond India’s Exclusive economic Zone (EEZ) after a devastating fire onboard resulted in one crew member’s death. This incident unfolded on June 22, approximately 177 nautical miles southwest of Porbandar, Gujarat, triggering a major emergency response from various Indian agencies.

The vessel, built in 2014 and capable of carrying over 4,800 TEUs, experienced a fire in one of its cargo holds while traveling from Kandla to Colombo. The situation escalated rapidly when the captain issued a distress signal. In response to this urgent call for help, the Indian Coast Guard dispatched ships and aircraft to assist with firefighting efforts and support for the crew.Thanks to coordinated actions involving offshore supply vessels and Coast Guard resources, 20 out of the ship’s 21 crew members were successfully evacuated; though, it was heartbreaking that one crew member was found deceased onboard.after several days battling flames and witnessing ongoing damage to the vessel’s structure, authorities made the tough decision to tow it outside India’s EEZ. This choice came after evaluations revealed persistent thermal hotspots within cargo holds that posed risks not only to maritime safety but also potentially threatened marine ecosystems.

Key players like Mumbai’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) and the Directorate General of Shipping were instrumental in managing this crisis. Despite their best efforts at containment, smoldering fires continued to raise alarms about whether or not the ship could remain structurally sound.

Tugboats were then tasked with moving Wan Hai 503 westward into international waters beyond India’s jurisdictional limits. As per recent updates, it remains afloat under tow while salvage operations and safety assessments are being conducted.

This incident underscores ongoing dangers associated with cargo fires at sea—especially when hazardous materials are involved—and highlights how complex these emergencies can be. investigations into what sparked this fire are still underway as authorities collaborate closely with both the shipowner and classification society for future actions.