Sat Jun 14 14:17:41 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Indian Navy is actively working to manage the situation involving the Singapore-flagged MV Wan Hai 503, a container ship that caught fire after an explosion. The ship is being towed further out to sea to minimize the risk to the Indian coast. Authorities are warning residents of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kollam to stay away from any debris that may wash ashore from the ship, as containers are expected to surface between June 16th and 18th. The Coast Guard is monitoring the situation closely, ensuring the vessel remains a safe distance from the coast.

**News Article:**

**Indian Navy Contains Fire-Damaged Container Ship Off Kerala Coast, Warns of Debris Wash-Up**

**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, June 14, 2025** – The Indian Navy has been actively engaged in containing the fire aboard the MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged container ship that caught fire following an explosion on June 9th. The incident occurred off the coast of Kerala, prompting a swift response from the Indian authorities.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued an advisory warning residents of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kollam districts that containers from the damaged vessel are likely to wash ashore between June 16th and June 18th. Citing information from the Coast Guard and the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF), the KSDMA urges the public to maintain a distance of at least 200 meters from any suspicious objects found on the coast and to immediately alert authorities using the emergency number 112.

“The safety of our citizens is paramount,” stated a KSDMA spokesperson. “We are working closely with the Navy and Coast Guard to mitigate any potential risks associated with the drifting containers.”

According to the Navy, the MV Wan Hai 503 is currently located approximately 45 nautical miles from the coast and is being towed to deeper waters by the tug Offshore Warrior. The Coast Guard ship Saksham is providing refueling support to ensure the towing operation continues uninterrupted.

The Coast Guard is working in conjunction with the Directorate General of Shipping to maintain a safe distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the vessel and the Indian coastline. “We are committed to ensuring the container vessel remains at a safe distance until a suitable fate is decided by the owners of the vessel in line with internationally accepted practices,” said a Coast Guard official.

The salvage operation has progressed significantly following the successful transfer of the towline from Coast Guard ships to the Offshore Warrior. Authorities will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

The news comes from The Hindu, a media source that publishes diverse content, including world affairs from an Indian viewpoint, local news, movie reviews, technology updates, science and health newsletters, book reviews, and more.

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