Coast Guard Battles Fire on Drifting Cargo Ship Off Kerala
PORTS & SHIPPING

Coast Guard Battles Fire on Drifting Cargo Ship Off Kerala

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) winched five salvage experts and an aircrew diver onto the burning Singaporean container vessel, MV Wan Hai 503, on 11 June 2025 to support emergency towing operations. The ship, which caught fire on 9 June off the coast of Kerala, is still drifting south-east within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, about 42 nautical miles from Beypore.

The vessel is laden with 2,128 metric tonnes of fuel and hundreds of containers, including hazardous materials, raising serious concerns about marine pollution and navigational hazards. While ICG’s sustained firefighting operations have largely reduced visible flames, smoke continues to emanate from the cargo holds, with the blaze still active in inner decks and near fuel storage areas.

Currently, five Coast Guard ships, two Dornier aircraft, and a helicopter are deployed for firefighting, aided by two support vessels from the Directorate General of Shipping. The salvage team, appointed by the ship’s owners, is working closely with the Coast Guard, while the Indian Air Force has been asked to provide additional aerial support.

Efforts are underway to attach a towline and steer the vessel away from the coastline to mitigate environmental damage. The situation remains critical and is under constant observation by maritime authorities.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) winched five salvage experts and an aircrew diver onto the burning Singaporean container vessel, MV Wan Hai 503, on 11 June 2025 to support emergency towing operations. The ship, which caught fire on 9 June off the coast of Kerala, is still drifting south-east within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, about 42 nautical miles from Beypore.The vessel is laden with 2,128 metric tonnes of fuel and hundreds of containers, including hazardous materials, raising serious concerns about marine pollution and navigational hazards. While ICG’s sustained firefighting operations have largely reduced visible flames, smoke continues to emanate from the cargo holds, with the blaze still active in inner decks and near fuel storage areas.Currently, five Coast Guard ships, two Dornier aircraft, and a helicopter are deployed for firefighting, aided by two support vessels from the Directorate General of Shipping. The salvage team, appointed by the ship’s owners, is working closely with the Coast Guard, while the Indian Air Force has been asked to provide additional aerial support.Efforts are underway to attach a towline and steer the vessel away from the coastline to mitigate environmental damage. The situation remains critical and is under constant observation by maritime authorities.

Next Story
Real Estate

CRISIL Leases Rs 6 billion Office Space in Mumbai’s Powai

CRISIL, a leading global analytics and rating agency, has signed a long-term lease worth nearly Rs 6 billion for about 250,000 sq ft of office space in Mumbai’s Powai. The lease, among the largest in the city’s commercial property segment, spans approximately 15 years.The company will occupy a new building at Hiranandani Business Park in Powai, one of Mumbai’s most premium business districts known for its modern infrastructure and connectivity. The lease, structured on a long-term model, underscores the growing demand for high-quality, large-scale office spaces from financial and knowled..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

DRI Introduces Advanced Fresh Air Solutions for Large Buildings

DRI has unveiled its latest solutions for indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy-efficient ventilation in large enclosed buildings: the Treated Fresh Air Handling Units (TFA) and Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS). The TFA units integrate EcoFresh Molecular Sieve Coated Heat Wheels to deliver optimal IAQ while promoting energy savings. The modular design allows additional functions such as cooling, heating, humidification, high-efficiency filtration, mixing, and sound attenuation. Maintenance is minimal, with standard filters and fan assemblies designed for reliability and ease of service. TFA..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Dia Mirza-backed Without® Launches FOAK Recycling Plant in Pune

Without®, an impact-first deep-tech material science enterprise, has inaugurated its first-of-a-kind (FOAK) recycling demonstration plant in Pune. The 1,030 sq. m facility can process up to 5 tons per month of “unrecyclable” plastic waste, offering end-to-end operations from material intake and separation to chemical transformation, purification, product manufacturing, and quality testing. The demonstration plant serves as a precursor to a commercial facility planned for next year. The launch follows the successful closure of a $1.9 million (approx. Rs 16.8 crore) seed funding round led ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?