After almost three months in international waters without being able to enter port, the vessel Wan Hai 503 is being towed to a point of refuge in the Middle East. The operation is ongoing with constant monitoring, while the most suitable port for berthing is being evaluated.
The fire on the Wan Hai 503
The incident began on June 9 when an explosion below deck sparked a fire on board while the vessel was sailing 50 nautical miles southwest of India. The emergency forced the evacuation of all 22 crew members, leaving four missing and six injured.
The quick response of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard prevented major consequences.
Since then, the Wan Hai 503 remained in the Arabian Sea. Despite efforts to control the situation and stabilize the hull, both India and Sri Lanka rejected the request for refuge, forcing the ship to stay away from their exclusive economic zones.
Trailer stability and conditions
Currently, the vessel maintains its structural integrity and stability according to analyses conducted by technical teams, including consultants from TMC Marine. TMC Marine. The towage, carried out by T&T Salvageis moving westward using specialized software to plot safe, weather-based routes. Although the destination port is yet to be confirmed, options such as Jebel Ali and Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates are being considered, reports Splash 247.
Wan Hai Lines, operator of the vessel, has reiterated that all towing and rescue actions are carried out with priority given to the safety of the marine environment and the recovery of the missing bodies.
The operations also include the controlled handling of damaged cargo and the discharge of seawater accumulated during the extinguishing tasks.
International cooperation and assessment of the incident
The case has generated international attention due to the prolonged waiting time of the vessel without a port of refuge, a situation that calls into question regional protocols for maritime emergencies. The Taiwanese company thanked the cooperation of the Indian and Taiwanese authorities, as well as the continued support of the insurers and rating agencies involved in the operation.
While awaiting a final resolution on the fate of the vessel, the investigation into the origin of the fire is still ongoing in collaboration with the authorities of the flag state, Singapore and the regulatory bodies of the Indian subcontinent.
Source and photo: Wan Hai Lines
