Singapore-flagged MV Wan Hai 503 catches fire off Kerala; INS Surat rescues 18 crew
On 9 June 2025 off Azhikkal, Kerala, the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503 caught fire after a container explosion, and the Indian Navy's INS Surat rescued 18 of its 22 crew.
Summary
MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged container vessel (IMO 9294862) en route to Nhava Sheva, reported a container explosion and a major fire on 9 June 2025 about 44 nautical miles from Azhikkal, Kerala, according to the Directorate General of Shipping's first situation report. DG Shipping informed the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Information Fusion Centre â Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR); the ICG and Navy deployed Dornier aircraft and ships, and DG Shipping directed the owners to appoint salvors and firefighting experts. The Indian Navy said it received inputs at about 9:30 am, deployed INS Surat and a Dornier, and rescued 18 of the 22 crew, who were taken to New Mangalore. DG Shipping reported four crew missing. The ICG later said the ship was carrying 2,128 tonnes of fuel and hazardous cargo.
Key facts
- Vessel
- MV Wan Hai 503, Singapore flag, IMO 9294862, en route to Nhava Sheva
- Location
- ~44 nm from Azhikkal, Kerala (DG Shipping SITREP-1)
- Rescue
- INS Surat rescued 18 of 22 crew; taken to New Mangalore
- Responders
- Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, DG Shipping, IFC-IOR
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The container ship MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire off the Kerala coast on 9 June 2025, was registered under the flag of which country?
Show answer
Correct answer: D â Singapore
DG Shipping SITREP-1 and the Indian Navy (Akashvani): MV Wan Hai 503 is a Singapore-flagged container vessel.
Which Indian Navy ship rescued 18 of the 22 crew members of MV Wan Hai 503 on 9 June 2025?
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Correct answer: B â INS Surat
Indian Navy (Akashvani): INS Surat and a Dornier aircraft were deployed, and 18 of the 22 crew were rescued and taken towards New Mangalore.
Consider the following statements about the MV Wan Hai 503 incident of 9 June 2025, as reported by the Directorate General of Shipping: 1. The incident position was about 44 nautical miles from Azhikkal, Kerala. 2. The vessel was en route to Kochi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A â 1 only
DG Shipping SITREP-1: the vessel was about 44 nm from Azhikkal, Kerala, and was en route to Nhava Sheva, not Kochi. So 1 only.