The Singapore-flagged vessel WANHAI 503 continues to burn off the coast of Kannur, with flames now threatening the crew’s living quarters, per the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA). The ship has drifted approximately 1.9 kilometers south, and its proximity to 2000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel poses a significant risk.
Additionally, the ship carries 157 containers of hazardous materials, including 32.2 tonnes of alcohol and nitrocellulose, a highly flammable substance used in various industries. This combination heightens the fire hazard, raising environmental concerns according to Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping. The vessel is currently about 45 nautical miles from the Kerala coast and is unmanned, continuing to emit smoke and flames.
While the shipowners have engaged a remediation firm, professional firefighters have yet to be deployed, with potential consultations taking place with experts from the Netherlands and the UK. The drift of the vessel remains a primary concern, and efforts are underway in collaboration with the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to secure a towline. Coast Guard surveillance has reported 10 to 15 containers drifting, raising fears they could reach the coast by June 12, 2025, if not contained.
