Hapag Lloyd: Live Ticker: Incident onboard MV Wan Hai 503 V.E219

***Live Ticker: Last Update September 5, 2025***

• The vessel is being towed to Jebel Ali with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) on September 10, 2025, weather permitting. Discussions between local authorities and vessel owners on berthing approval are ongoing

***Live Ticker: Last Update August 25, 2025***

• WAN HAI 503 is under tow to the Middle East. 
• Stability and safety requirements are met, and the tow is being closely monitored for a secure arrival.

***Live Ticker: Last Update August 22, 2025***

• Vessel located 177nm off Colombo, close to the Indian EEZ boundary
• No visible flames, minor smouldering observed
• Salvors remain on-site and continue towing operations
• Port of refuge under ongoing assessment and review

***Live Ticker: Last Update August 13, 2025***

• Vessel position is 130 nm from the Indian coast (Cape Comorin).
• The request for a port of refuge in Sri Lanka has been declined by the authorities.
• Vessel will have to be towed outside Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone.
• Discussions are underway to determine the most effective towing arrangements to reduce risks and minimize transit time.
• Possible destinations for the vessel are still being evaluated, and discussions are ongoing.

***Live Ticker: Last Update July 30, 2025***

• The vessel has been towed to the Lakshadweep Sea, approximately 150 nm. southwest of the Indian and Sri Lankan coasts.
• Five tug vessels remain on site to support the operations.
• During a recent period of favourable weather conditions, the salvors boarded the vessel to pump out the holds and improve stability.
• A formal request for a port of refuge, including a comprehensive project plan, has been submitted to the Sri Lankan authorities.
• Other ports of refuge are also still being considered.

***Live Ticker: Last Update July 16, 2025***

• The location of the casualty remains the same
• A pollution risk assessment has been conducted with no pollution detected.
• 9000 tonnes of firefighting water were successfully removed from the vessel for stability purposes
• Intermittent rough weather does not allow for continuous onboard operations
• A comprehensive Port of Refuge project plan has been prepared and submitted

We continue to monitor the situation closely.

***Live Ticker: Last Update July 11, 2025***

• The vessel maintains position under tow outside India’s Exclusive Economy Zone.
• No new fires have been reported and the smoke development is being reduced.
• To reduce the high temperatures measured onboard, the salvors use boundary cooling measures and apply fire-fighting foam.
• Adverse weather conditions on some days prevent the salvors from operating onboard the vessel.
• A port of refuge has not yet been decided.

***Live Ticker: Last Update July 2, 2025***

• Salvage efforts in response to the fire incident onboard MV WAN HAI 503, V. E219 continue.
• Several salvage tugs have been deployed to the casualty site, which is approximately 110 nm southeast of the coast of Kerala, India. The salvors continue their operations to fully extinguish the fire and stabilize the vessel.

***Live Ticker: Last Update July 1, 2025***

• Additional salvage tugs have been deployed. There have been no new fires observed, and the amount of smoke has decreased. Salvage operations are ongoing; however, due to weather conditions, the duration remains uncertain.

***Live Ticker: Last Update June 26, 2025***

• The salvage operations remain ongoing. The firefighting and cooling efforts show progressive containment of the fire but progress is slow due to difficult weather conditions. Meanwhile, a port of refuge for the vessel has not yet been identified.

***Live Ticker: Last Update June 20, 2025***

• The fire onboard MV Wan Hai 503 has not been fully extinguished; a few hot spots remain. Firefighting and cooling operations are ongoing.

***Live Ticker: Last Update June 16, 2025***

Salvage and emergency operations continue following the fire incident on board MV Wan Hai 503 on June 9.

• The vessel is currently being towed westward, away from the Indian coastline, to minimize environmental risks. A professional salvage team was deployed to the ship on June 13, 2025, and multiple firefighting tugs are active on site. The situation remains stable.
• 18 crew members have been safely evacuated. Search and rescue efforts for four missing seafarers are ongoing in coordination with local authorities. Cargo assessments and official investigations are still in progress. 

We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as they become available.


***Live Ticker: Last Update June 10, 2025***

With your cargo planning in mind, please be aware that MV Wan Hai 503 V.E219 experienced an explosion and subsequent fire while sailing from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Nhava Sheva, India on June 9, 2025. Emergency response operations are ongoing, and an official investigation is underway.

Here’s what you need to know: 

• Vessel status: The vessel is currently immobilized off the Indian coast. Firefighting and salvage efforts are being coordinated by the relevant authorities.
• Cargo status: The full impact on the cargo is still being assessed. Initial reports indicate that some containers may have been affected or lost during the incident.
• Next steps: We will reach out to affected customers directly to clarify individual shipment impacts and next steps.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as they become available. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Should you require further assistance, please contact your nearest Hapag-Lloyd office who will guide you based on your individual situation.