Ship rescue operation hit as salvor vessel runs out of fuel

Notes for Students

Topic: Fire incident on container vessel M.V. Wan Hai 503 off Kerala coast and its emergency response challenges.

Context of the Article: A Singapore-flagged ship caught fire within India’s EEZ on June 9, 2025. The salvor vessel Offshore Warrior ran out of fuel and lacked firefighting foam, delaying response. Indian Coast Guard continued operations under difficult conditions. Risk of explosion (BLEVE) due to hydrocarbon vapours remains.

UPSC Paper Topic Belongs To:

• GS Paper III: Disaster Management
• GS Paper II: International Relations (maritime jurisdiction, EEZ obligations)
• GS Paper III: Environmental Pollution & Maritime Safety
• GS Paper II: Government Policies and Institutions (role of Coast Guard, DGS)

Dimensions of the Article:

• Environmental concerns in Indian EEZ
• Inadequate private sector preparedness in maritime disasters
• Indian Coast Guard’s strategic role in maritime emergencies
• BLEVE and hazardous cargo handling risks
• Limitations of salvor capabilities under international shipping laws

Current Context 

A major maritime emergency is underway off the Kerala coast as the Singapore-flagged container vessel M.V. Wan Hai 503 caught fire on June 9, 2025, within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The firefighting and rescue operations have faced serious setbacks, particularly due to the salvage vessel ‘Offshore Warrior’ running out of fuel, limiting its capacity to aid. While the Indian Coast Guard continues firefighting efforts amid difficult sea conditions, concerns remain about a possible explosion and environmental hazard due to hydrocarbon leaks and onboard hazardous cargo.

Features of the News 

1. Firefighting Operation and Resource Deficiency
   1. The vessel Offshore Warrior, hired by Wan Hai International Pvt Ltd, ran out of fuel and had to return to Kochi, leaving the scene.
   1. It lacked foam—essential to suppress fires involving flammable liquids—rendering it inadequate for firefighting.
2. Indian Coast Guard’s Role
   1. Despite rough seas, Indian Coast Guard connected a towline to the burning container vessel.
   1. They deployed a Mi-17 helicopter team for aerial firefighting, dropping 1,000 kg of dry chemical powder directly on the fire.
3. Ongoing Fire and Associated Risks
   1. Although the external fire is contained, dense smoke persists, suggesting residual internal heat and risk of metallic fires.
   1. Hydrocarbon vapours have been detected near fuel tanks, indicating heat transfer, raising alarms over a possible BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion).
4. Ship Status and Drift
   1. The ship remains structurally afloat and is drifting 42 nautical miles off Beypore, in a southeasterly direction, still within India’s EEZ.
   1. Hazardous cargo onboard increases the environmental and safety risk.

Explainers 

1. Why did the absence of Offshore Warrior matter?

The Offshore Warrior was the only dedicated vessel positioned at the fire site with the authority of the shipowner. However, it ran out of fuel mid-operation, forcing it to retreat to Kochi. This created a critical time gap during which no replacement was available, delaying towing of the burning ship to safety. Also, it lacked essential firefighting foam and had inadequate systems, raising serious questions about the preparedness of the ship’s operator.

• What is BLEVE and why is it dangerous?

BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion) occurs when a vessel containing liquefied gases or fuel under pressure gets heated, leading to sudden rupture and massive explosion. In this case, hydrocarbon vapours detected near the fuel tank indicate heat accumulation, making BLEVE a real and serious threat to the crew, responders, and nearby marine ecosystem.

• What is dry chemical powder and why was it used?

Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) is used to combat Class B (flammable liquid) and Class C (electrical) fires. It is non-conductive and smothers flames by interrupting chemical reactions. In this case, 1,000 kg of DCP was air-dropped from an IAF Mi-17 helicopter directly onto the fire’s core—an aggressive method used when onboard firefighting is impossible due to extreme heat or obstruction.

• What are the challenges of firefighting at sea?
  • Unstable platforms: High sea waves affect access and precision
  • Limited resources: No permanent water/foam supply like on land
  • Toxic environment: Smoke, chemicals, and heat impair visibility and safety
  • Drift risk: Ship may float into populated areas or ecological zones

In this incident, all of the above challenges are actively being encountered.

• Why is the Indian Coast Guard involved?

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is the primary agency for maritime safety, pollution response, and law enforcement within the Indian EEZ. With the vessel drifting within India’s maritime zone, ICG is lawfully mandated to take charge. Its teams have been cooling the vessel boundary, monitoring structural status, and executing aerial attacks on the blaze.

Conclusion:

The incident involving M.V. Wan Hai 503 underscores serious gaps in maritime emergency preparedness, particularly from the private salvors engaged by the shipowners. The inadequate firefighting capability, lack of essential resources like foam, and fuel mismanagement by the salvage vessel Offshore Warrior have hampered timely containment of a potentially catastrophic fire. Despite this, the Indian Coast Guard’s swift and persistent efforts have kept the situation under control so far, including aerial firefighting and structural monitoring of the ship.

However, the ongoing threat of explosion, presence of hazardous cargo, and environmental risks due to hydrocarbon leaks necessitate continued high-alert operations and international coordination. This case highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of maritime safety norms, pre-positioned salvage resources, and clear accountability mechanisms for private operators involved in high-risk maritime incidents within India’s strategic and ecologically sensitive coastal zone.