Four Crew Missing as Singapore-Flagged Cargo Ship Burns Off India’s Kerala Coast

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

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Image Source: Indian Coast Guard

A major fire continues to rage aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel MV Wan Hai 503 in the Arabian Sea, with four crew members still missing and fears growing over a potential oil spill along India’s southwestern coast.  

The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have been battling the blaze since Monday after an explosion in one of the ship’s containers triggered the fire. Eighteen of the 22 crew members were rescued, but two Taiwanese, one Myanmar national, and one Indonesian sailor remain unaccounted for.  

Rescue and Response Efforts

The crew abandoned the ship after the explosion and were later picked up by the Indian Navy. Some survivors are being treated for injuries onshore. Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has dispatched a team to assist in search operations.  

Indian authorities warned that around 50 containers from the vessel have fallen into the sea, while the MV Wan Hai 503 carrying 100 tonnes of bunker fuel risks leaking oil. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued an alert for Kerala’s coastline, predicting debris and pollutants could wash ashore within days.  

Environmental Concerns  

This marks the second maritime incident near Kerala in weeks. Last month, a Liberian-flagged ship carrying hazardous cargo sank in the same region, prompting fishing bans and compensation for affected communities.  

Kerala’s Ports Minister V.N. Vasavan expressed concern over the ecological impact, given the state’s biodiverse coastline and reliance on tourism. INCOIS is monitoring currents to predict the spill’s trajectory.  

Ongoing Challenges  

Footage shows thick black smoke billowing from the vessel as firefighting efforts continue. The Coast Guard reported intermittent explosions, complicating containment.  

The MV Wan Hai 503 was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Mumbai when the fire broke out. Investigations into the cause are pending.  

Broader Implications  

The incident highlights risks in regional shipping lanes, where cargo firesoften linked to misdeclared hazardous goods are a growing concern. It also underscores the need for swift international cooperation in maritime emergencies.  

Authorities remain hopeful of locating the missing crew while mitigating environmental damage.