Photo Credit: Indian Coast Guard
India Probes Wan Hai 503 Crew Over Kerala Sea Fire and Pollution
Indian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the crew and owners of the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 following a significant fire that broke out aboard the ship on June 9, 2025. The vessel was sailing from Colombo to Mumbai when it caught fire approximately 70 to 88 nautical miles off the coast of Kozhikode, Kerala. The incident reportedly involved hazardous materials, including flammable liquids, solids, explosives, and toxic chemicals.
The blaze resulted in drifting containers, oil leakage, and environmental hazards, raising serious concerns among maritime regulators. The fire also disrupted fishing activities and posed navigation risks, prompting emergency response efforts from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. Out of 22 crew members on board, 18 were rescued while four remain missing. One body, believed to be a missing sailor, has washed ashore in Alappuzha and is undergoing identification through DNA testing.
On June 17, the Fort Kochi Coastal Police formally registered a First Information Report (FIR) under India’s Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, naming Wan Hai International Pte Ltd (the ship’s owner), the captain, and the crew. Charges include rash navigation, negligent handling of toxic and explosive cargo, obstruction of marine traffic, and criminal conspiracy. Authorities allege that the crew knowingly sailed with dangerous goods onboard and failed to manage the fire effectively, causing damage to the environment and endangering human life.
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) also issued a stern warning to Wan Hai Lines and T&T Salvage, criticizing their slow and insufficient emergency response. The DGS reported that the salvage tug, Offshore Warrior, lacked the necessary firefighting capacity, including foam reserves, and warned of further criminal action if protocol breaches continued.
The Kerala High Court has since intervened, urging that public funds should not be used for salvage operations and directing that costs be recovered from the ship owners. A public interest litigation has called for a Special Investigation Team to probe both the Wan Hai 503 and the earlier sinking of the MSC Elsa 3. The court has also asked for the formation of an inter-agency panel and the establishment of an environmental compensation fund worth ₹1,000 crore for affected coastal communities.
Authorities continue to assess the environmental impact of the incident, while criminal and legal proceedings remain underway. The case has heightened scrutiny on the enforcement of hazardous cargo handling regulations in Indian waters, signaling a stronger stance on maritime safety and accountability.
