New Casualty - WAN HAI 503 - Fire
Incident Date: 9th June 2025
Vessel: WAN HAI 503
IMO No.: 9294862
Type: Fully Cellular Containership
Incident: Fire
W.E. Cox have learned of an incident involving the WAN HAI 503, a Singapore Flag, 42,532GT, 269m, fully cellular containership, which reported an underdeck fire on 9 June 2025, about 70nm off the coast of Beypore, India whilst sailing from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Jawaharlal Nehru, India.
We understand that of the 22 crew members on board, 18 jumped off the WAN HAI 503 and are currently in rescue boats, whilst 4 crew members remain missing. It appears that at least 20 containers have fallen overboard and that The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have deployed rescue teams.
We further understand that the WAN HAI 503 is owned and managed by Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) Private Limited. She trades in Malaysia, India, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka on Wan Hai’s China-India Express (CIX) Service.
As a result of this casualty, cargo deliveries will likely be delayed, with significant cargo loss and damage. As the situation appears to involve Salvage and may also give rise to General Average, Cargo interests will likely be required to provide Salvage and/or General Average Security prior to cargo being released at destination.
If you are aware of any involvement in this casualty and W E Cox Claims Group may be of assistance in any way, including provision of securities, arranging surveys, adjusting any potential losses &/or undertaking recovery action, please do not hesitate to contact us. As appropriate, please contact:
United Kingdom – Paul Friett cargoclaims@w-e-cox.co.uk
France – Marie-Laure Mirrione MarieLaureMirrione@w-e-cox.eu
Europe – John Jackson Johnjackson@cwhji.com
Hong Kong – Twinnie Lai twinnie@ceemis.com.hk
Singapore – Paul Sansom psansom@w-e-cox.com.sg
USA – Joshua Gayer jgayer@w-e-cox.com
Australia – Niall Orr norr@w-e-cox.com.au
If this or future casualty notices should be forwarded to any of your colleagues, we would be pleased to receive their contact details and we will add them to our Client List.
