Kerala: Fire On Singapore-Flagged Cargo Ship Was Not Explosion, Says Navy; Rescue Op Underway

A fire broke out on a Singapore-flagged container ship, MV Wan Hai 503, off Kerala's coast. Initially mistaken for an explosion, the incident was later confirmed as a fire by officials. The Maritime Operations Centre in Mumbai first reported the underdeck fire to Kochi counterparts at around 10:30 am on June 9, 2025.

The vessel, measuring 270 metres with a draught of 12.5 metres, had departed Colombo on June 7 and was heading to Mumbai. It was expected to reach its destination by June 10. "On 09 Jun 25, at about 1030 h, MOC (Koc) received an information from MOC (Mbi) about a reported underdeck fire onboard MV Wan Hai 503. The vessel is a Singapore Flag Container ship, 270 m long and draught 12.5m with LPC Colombo. The vessel departed Colombo on 07 Jun 25 with NPC Mumbai, 10 Jun," stated the PRO communication.

Immediate Response by Indian Navy

In response to the emergency, the Indian Navy promptly redirected INS Surat from its scheduled docking in Kochi to assist the distressed ship. This decision was made by the Western Naval Command at approximately 11 am. Additionally, plans were underway for a Navy Dornier aircraft sortie from INS Garuda in Kochi to evaluate the situation and coordinate further support efforts.

The swift actions taken by the Indian Navy highlight their readiness and capability in handling maritime emergencies effectively. Such incidents underscore the importance of coordinated efforts between different maritime agencies to ensure safety at sea.

The situation remains under close observation as authorities work diligently to manage and mitigate any potential risks associated with the fire on MV Wan Hai 503. The collaboration between various naval units demonstrates a robust response mechanism aimed at safeguarding lives and property in maritime zones.