On June 15, Wan Hai Lines issued an official statement on its website regarding the fire incident aboard the WAN HAI 503 vessel.

Statement as follows:

On June 9, 2025 (GMT+8), Wan Hai Lines informed relevant authorities and the media that earlier that day, a fire was reported aboard its Singapore-flagged vessel WAN HAI 503 (Chinese name: “旺春輪”), while sailing 54 nautical miles off the western coast of India in the Indian Ocean, after smoke was detected.

Wan Hai immediately activated emergency response teams onboard and at its Taipei, Singapore, and Mumbai offices. The company also began closely coordinating with the crew, Indian coastal state authorities, Singapore’s flag state authorities, and insurance providers to implement emergency procedures. No oil pollution has been reported.

Following joint assessment by the ship’s captain and local Indian Navy and Coast Guard officials, and in accordance with international maritime regulations, the crew was ordered to abandon ship after onshore evaluation to ensure their safety.

There were 22 crew members onboard. Four remain missing—two from Taiwan (China), one from Indonesia, and one from Myanmar. Search and rescue operations began immediately and are still ongoing. Wan Hai has maintained close contact with the families of the missing seafarers.

The remaining 18 crew members were safely evacuated with the swift intervention of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. Initially, five injured crew members were hospitalized. After further medical assessment, another crew member with minor injuries was admitted as a precaution, bringing the total to six. He has since been discharged after treatment.

With the assistance of relevant agencies, all rescued and recovered crew members have been properly accommodated and are receiving necessary medical and post-care support.

On June 10, 2025, following consultation with Indian maritime authorities, Wan Hai appointed international salvage company T&T Salvage to coordinate operations with Indian authorities and manage the salvage of WAN HAI 503. T&T promptly dispatched the tug Offshore Warrior to the site.

At around 17:00 on June 13, 2025, with assistance from the Indian Navy, the salvage team was winched onto the deck of WAN HAI 503 via naval helicopter. The team successfully attached a towline to Offshore Warrior, securing the vessel. Additionally, T&T Salvage deployed three firefighting tugs—Garnet, Saksham, Water Lilly, and Triton. Two more salvage vessels—Saroja Blessing and Boka Winger—are scheduled to arrive at the site today.

WAN HAI 503 is currently being towed toward India’s western coastline to protect coastal, marine, and fisheries resources.

Wan Hai continues to actively collaborate with Indian maritime authorities, the salvage company, and insurers to locate the missing crew members and protect India’s marine environment. The salvage company is also working to preserve the remaining cargo onboard and conduct a risk assessment for the subsequent recovery operation.

Wan Hai and its crew extend heartfelt thanks to the Indian authorities—the Directorate General of Shipping, Indian Navy, and Coast Guard—for their swift response to the captain’s call for assistance. Their courageous intervention prevented further loss of life and injuries and likely saved the vessel from total destruction.

Wan Hai deeply regrets this incident and takes full responsibility for any resulting loss. The company is doing everything possible to locate the missing crew, care for the rescued seafarers, and ensure vessel safety. Wan Hai respects the concerns of Indian maritime authorities regarding coastal and marine environmental protection and has instructed salvage teams to prioritize environmental protection in ongoing operations.

In addition to T&T Salvage, TMC Marine has been appointed as an advisor to assist Wan Hai and its insurers during the salvage process. TMC Marine is a member of the international classification society Bureau Veritas Group.

WAN HAI 503, flying the Singapore flag, is jointly operated by Wan Hai Lines, Evergreen Marine Corporation, and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd on the South China–India route. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities are currently evaluating all cargo and potential sources of ignition. Wan Hai is actively cooperating with both Indian coastal and Singaporean flag state authorities in the ongoing investigation.