The burned boxship Wan Hai 503 remains under tow off India’s southeastern coast, near the Indian EEZ boundary, as salvors work to stabilize the vessel. Local reports indicate that the ship’s holds continue to smolder, with light smoke still visible. Although fires reignited on Friday, salvors quickly applied a fire-suppressing foam, Pyrocool, using approximately 12,000 liters mixed with water. They are prepared to source an additional 15,000 liters from Singapore if needed.
Currently, the fire is contained, and temperature monitoring is ongoing using thermal imaging cameras. Tugs SCI Panna and Advantis Virgo are on-site for boundary cooling and fire suppression, while Offshore Warrior maintains the tow. The tug Saksham is expected to rejoin after a crew change.
Efforts to dewater the ship continue, with a restored hydraulic power pack helping to reduce the engine room’s water level to about six feet. This flooding may be linked to runoff from firefighting activities. Salvors are also exploring alternative ports of refuge, with options in Africa now considered, while prioritizing the replacement of the vessel’s synthetic towline with a steel wire rope before anticipated rough weather.
