The Singapore vessels of the WAN HAI 503 containers ignite fire in the sea on the coast of Kannur in North Kerala, 9 June 2025. Photo Credit: Indian Coast Guard Pro/or Photo
MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore hair vessel that burned nearly 88 naval miles from the Bepore coast in Kozhikod 9.
According to Manifesto Cargo, 157 containers with dangerous substances are on the ship. They are flammable liquids, included in the class 3 hazardous materials; flammable solids that are part of class 4.1; spontaneously flammable solids that are part of class 4.2; and substances either in liquid or solid form that can harm human health that are part of class 6.1.
The classification of hazardous materials is carried out by international maritime organizations. Containers contain a solution of flammable resin, among other things ecologically dangerous benzofenone, nitro cellulose with alcohol, flammable printing ink. It also displays 2,000 tons of sea oil and 240 tons of diesel.
The presence of approximately 2,000 tonnes of heating oil and 240 tons of diesel in the tanks located in the fire zone area on the ship increases the risk of operation. According to a report on the situation prepared by government agencies, the vessel remains unmanned and unmanned for the next day, while continuing to emit smoke and flames from bay 2 and 3 (port and starboard).
Heating oil tanks located near the fire zone are the main problem for agencies involved in firefighting exercise because it has the potential for further escalation of the fire. Plans of preliminary visuals and tumors suggest that the affected bays are located in the neighborhood with the side reservoir of heating oil. It was also confirmed that three tanks for heating oil are located near the current fire zone.
The vessel is carried to approximately 1.0 naval miles south and represents an immediate threat of explosion.
According to the report, the vessel remains above the water, while the fire is actively burning in the front load (bays 2 and 3) and the fire spread to the back, towards the accommodation from the morning. There were no reports of water or structural instability at this stage.
Due to the presence of a dangerous cargo, firefighting operations are cautiously waiting to verify the dangers and expert advice on the appropriate methods of extinguishing. Immediate concerns remain containing the drift vessels away from the Indian coast and the size of the fire size, the connection of the consumption remains very demanding au of the Indian Navy and the Indian coastline is considered alternative.
Similarly, approximately 10–15 containers were seen in the southeast direction by a plane of the Coast Guard. The estimated drift speed is 1–1.5 knots. If this is unchanged, they can get to the coast around 12 June. The content of floating containers remains unknown and their potential for danger is still subjected to evaluation. The Office for Catastrophe management in Kerala established a responsibility for creating a map of the drift forecast and sharing alerts with the management of coastal districts.
(with inputs from Thiruvananthapuram Bureau)
Published – 10 June 2025 20:58
