What happened?
On June 13, 2025, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), alongside the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, successfully transferred the tow of the distressed Singaporean container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 to the ocean-going tug Offshore Warrior. The ICG had been keeping the vessel away from the Kerala coast for several days, but deteriorating weather conditions and strong westerly winds caused it to drift dangerously towards the shoreline.
Despite adverse weather hindering aerial operations and delaying the boarding of the salvage crew, a Navy Sea King helicopter launched from Kochi on June 13 successfully winched salvage team members onto the vessel under extremely challenging conditions. The team then managed to connect a 600-meter tow rope to the Offshore Warrior approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi.
Currently, the vessel is being towed westward at 1.8 knots and is nearly 35 nautical miles offshore. Three ICG Offshore Patrol Vessels continue to escort the container ship and sustain firefighting operations. Only thick smoke and a few isolated hotspots remain on board, indicating the effectiveness of the ICG’s firefighting efforts. The ICG is closely coordinating with the Directorate General of Shipping to ensure the vessel remains at least 50 nautical miles from the Indian coastline until its fate is determined by the owners, in accordance with international norms. The situation is expected to stabilise further with the anticipated arrival of additional firefighting tugs.
Why it matters to India
This high-risk operation by the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force demonstrates India’s robust maritime response capabilities and its commitment to ensuring safety and environmental protection in its exclusive economic zone. The successful containment of the fire and the towing of the vessel averted a potential major environmental disaster off the Kerala coast, which would have had significant implications for India’s marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods. The coordinated effort also highlights the seamless inter-agency cooperation within India’s defence and maritime security apparatus.