Coast Guard Battles Fire on Drifting Cargo Ship Off Kerala

12 Jun 2025 CW Team

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.

Infrastructure Urban

04 May 2026

Jyoti Structures FY26 profit rises 56.5%

Jyoti Structures (JSL) recently reported strong financial results for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2026, driven by disciplined execution, cost management and steady progress across its order book.For Q4 FY2025-26, total income rose 44.2 per cent to Rs 2.41 billion from Rs 1.67 billion in Q4 FY2024-25. EBITDA increased 58.6 per cent to Rs 237 million, while EBITDA margin improved by 89 basis points to 9.84 per cent. Profit before tax grew 53.3 per cent to Rs 188.5 million, and net profit rose 51.9 per cent to Rs 181.4 million.For FY2025-26, total income grew 53.1 per cent to Rs 7.72 bill..

Cat BEPU to Power Doppstadt Separator at IFAT 2026

Caterpillar’s Cat Battery Electric Power Unit (BEPU) has been selected by Doppstadt to power its SWS 6 Spiral Shaft Separator, which will be showcased for the first time at IFAT 2026 in Munich, Germany, from 4–7 May.The compact plug-and-play BEPU is designed to replace a diesel engine within the same space, using the same mounting locations and relative machine position. It integrates the battery, motor, inverter, onboard charging, cooling and controls, enabling OEMs to electrify existing chassis platforms without extensive redesign.Caterpillar and Cat dealer Zeppelin Power Systems have be..

VECV sales rise 6.9% in April 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles, a joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, recorded sales of 7,318 units in April 2026, compared to 6,846 units in April 2025, registering 6.9 per cent growth. The total included 7,159 units under the Eicher brand and 159 units under the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,159 units during the month, up 6.6 per cent from 6,717 units in April 2025. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 8.6 per cent to 6,797 units from 6,257 units a year earlier.Exports declined 21.3 per cent, with VECV recording 362 units in ..