NEW DELHI — Efforts are underway by the Indian Coast Guard to tow a container ship engulfed in flames off Kerala in southern India, in a bid to avert an ecological crisis, authorities reported on Thursday.
The MV Wan Hai 503, flying Singapore’s flag, experienced a series of explosions and an ensuing blaze while en route to Mumbai from Colombo on June 7. Situated approximately 88 nautical miles from Beypore’s coast in Kerala, the issue was flagged on Monday.
Indian officials have yet to determine the cause behind the blasts and subsequent fire, currently prioritizing firefighting and preventing the ship from drifting toward the Indian shores.
The massive 890-foot ship holds 2,128 metric tons of fuel and hundreds of containers, including hazardous materials, according to a release by India’s defense ministry issued on Wednesday night.
The ministry asserted, “The blaze is not entirely subdued, and actions to secure a towline to guide the ship away from the coastline are in process. The situation is grave and under constant monitoring.”
Fire suppression efforts have successfully minimized visible flames, although the inferno persists within the inner decks and near the fuel reservoirs, the ministry elaborated.
India’s Directorate General of Shipping reported that approximately 40% of the onboard fire is under control, with the vessel still remaining buoyant.
In an aerial firefighting tactic deployed on Thursday morning, the coast guard utilized an Indian air force helicopter, shared Commandant Amit Uniyal, a coast guard spokesman. The helicopter dispersed 1,000 kilograms of dry chemical agent over key fiery zones of the ship, he noted.
Shipping authority Captain Harinder Singh, disclosed that the vessel carried 1,754 containers in total, 143 of which contain perilous goods categorized under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, such as flammable liquids, toxic substances, and other hazardous materials.
Explosions and subsequent fires have caused numerous containers to plummet into the Arabian Sea.
On Wednesday, the coast guard airdropped five individuals on the ship’s unaffected section to coordinate towing strategies and evaluate the fire’s extent.
A towline has successfully been attached from the vessel to a coast guard ship to manage its drift, officials confirmed.
Singh, intimately involved in managing the operation, divulged plans to connect a second towline with an offshore supply ship called Offshore Warrior, renowned for its towing strength. Towing procedures are slated to initiate later on Thursday.
The salvage master on board noted hydrocarbon vapors, possibly indicating heat transfer close to the fuel tanks.
Managed by Singapore-headquartered Wan Hai Lines, 18 of the ship’s 22 crew members evacuated with navy and coast guard aid. Four remain unaccounted for.
The navy and coast guard have commenced a search mission for the missing personnel, employing two Dornier aircraft alongside five ships dedicated to extinguishing the fire.
In a previous marine mishap last month, another container vessel sank off the Kerala coast, spilling 100 cargo containers into the Arabian Sea, prompting state authorities to tackle an oil discharge.
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