A major maritime emergency is unfolding off the Kerala coast as M.V. Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged container vessel, continues to burn while adrift. The ship, located approximately 88 nautical miles from Beypore in Kozhikode, caught fire on June 9 and remains unmanned.
According to its cargo manifest, the vessel is carrying 157 containers with hazardous substances. These include flammable liquids (Class 3), flammable solids (Class 4.1), spontaneously combustible substances (Class 4.2), and toxic materials (Class 6.1) that pose significant health risks. Some identified substances are nitrocellulose with alcohol, flammable resin solution, benzophenone, and flammable printing ink.
Compounding the danger is the presence of around 2,000 tonnes of marine fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel, stored in tanks dangerously close to the fire zone. Three of these tanks are adjacent to Bays 2 and 3, the current epicenter of the fire, increasing the risk of explosion.
The ship continues to emit thick smoke and flames, now spreading toward the accommodation area. Though it remains afloat with no structural breaches yet reported, authorities are exercising extreme caution in firefighting operations due to the cargo’s hazardous nature.
The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and disaster management authorities are exploring options, including towing or containment, though both remain challenging. Meanwhile, 10-15 containers have been spotted drifting southeast and could reach the coast by June 12. Their contents and hazard level are yet to be confirmed.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority is issuing alerts and preparing drift forecasts to warn coastal districts.
