Four crew members missing as Singapore-flagged cargo ship burns off India coast
India’s Coast Guard is continuing efforts to douse a fire on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship in the Arabian Sea near the coast of the southern state of Kerala.
MV Wan Hai 503, which was heading to India’s Mumbai city from Sri Lanka’s Colombo, reported an internal container explosion on Monday, resulting in a major fire on board.
Eighteen crew members have been rescued, while four are still missing. Singapore has sent a team to assist in the rescue efforts.
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued an alert for the coast of Kerala due to potential oil spill and debris from the ship .
Footage on Tuesday showed MV Wan Hai 503 emitting large plumes of smoke as the Indian Navy and Coast Guard tried to extinguish the fire onboard.
The Coast Guard said fires and explosions continued to be seen on the ship.
In a search and rescue operation carried out on Monday, 18 of the ship’s 22 crew members were rescued and brought ashore where some of them are being treated for injuries.
The crew members had abandoned the ship when the fire broke out and left on a boat after which they were rescued by the Navy, India’s defence ministry said.
The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said four crew members are still missing – two of them are from Taiwan, one from Myanmar and one from Indonesia. The MPA said that it has sent a team to help with the rescue.
Kerala Ports Minister VN Vasavan said that 50 containers from the ship had fallen into the sea.
The ship was carrying 100 tonnes of bunker oil, Mathrubhumi News reported. Containers that fell from it were drifting along the coast of Kerala, INCOIS told Manorama News, and could drift towards its coastline in the next three days.
This is the second such incident in three weeks near the Kerala coast. Last month, a Liberian-flagged vessel carrying oil and hazardous cargo leaked and sank in the Arabian Sea, sparking fears that harmful substances could endanger the health of residents and marine life.
The state government then banned fishing within a 20-nautical mile radius of the shipwreck and announced compensation for families from fishing communities in four affected districts.
Courtesy BBC News
Japan Proves Its Innovation Again with a 310,000-Tonne Oil Monster That Will Redefine the Future of Maritime Transport
Japan is about to unveil a massive oil tanker that could change the shipping industry forever. With groundbreaking technology and an unexpected fuel choice, this vessel promises to set new environmental standards.
In a bold move toward reducing maritime emissions, Japan is preparing to launch one of the world’s largest and most environmentally-conscious oil tankers. Scheduled for delivery in 2028, the ship will be a game-changer, both for the shipping industry and for global efforts to curb CO₂ emissions. According to Interesting Engineering, this impressive vessel, designed with cutting-edge technology, will set new records for size and fuel efficiency, all while using an unexpected alternative fuel source.
A colossal design for strategic routes
At 339.5 meters long and 60 meters wide, the tanker will be classified as a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), the largest category of oil tankers. The vessel’s design caters specifically to the narrow Malacca Strait, a crucial maritime passage connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
This area is known for its heavy shipping traffic, particularly oil trade between the Middle East and East Asia. To navigate this vital route effectively, the tanker will meet the “Malacca Max” sizing standard, ensuring its suitability for one of the busiest and most important oil trade routes in the world.
Methanol: a cleaner alternative to heavy fuel oil
Unlike conventional oil tankers, which rely on heavy fuel oil—a low-cost but highly polluting fuel—the new Japanese tanker will operate on methanol, a cleaner-burning alternative. Methanol has the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 15%, and even more—up to 40%—if “green” methanol is used.
This form of methanol is produced from biomass or synthesized using captured CO₂ and renewable hydrogen, making it a more sustainable choice. The adoption of methanol is part of a broader push to reduce the environmental footprint of shipping, an industry responsible for nearly 1,000 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.
Cutting-edge technology for efficiency
The tanker’s design goes beyond fuel choice. It will feature a dual-fuel system, enabling it to operate on both heavy fuel oil and methanol. Additionally, it will incorporate a shaft generator, a system that captures mechanical energy from the engine’s rotation and redirects it to the propulsion system. This technology reduces energy losses during operation, boosting the ship’s overall efficiency. With these innovations, the vessel will not only be one of the largest ever built but also one of the most energy-efficient oil tankers in operation.
A Japanese collaboration for a sustainable future
This ambitious project is the result of a collaborative effort among some of Japan’s biggest maritime and shipping companies. The tanker is being developed by Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) Line, in partnership with Idemitsu Tanker, IINO Kaiun Kaisha, and Nippon Shipyard. The collaboration began in January 2024, with the ship’s design unveiled in October of the same year. Once launched, the vessel will be operated under a long-term charter agreement with Idemitsu Tanker, ensuring its immediate use and economic viability.
The project aligns with NYK’s broader commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, signaling Japan’s leadership in the quest for greener shipping. Given the challenges of electrifying long-distance shipping, this initiative offers a practical and scalable solution for cutting emissions in the immediate future, while furthering Japan’s ambition to lead in sustainable maritime practices.
Recent news indicates a mix of developments in the shipping industry, including advancements in green technologies, infrastructure projects, and ongoing challenges.
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Green Shipping Corridors:India is working on green shipping corridors, like the one between VOC and Kandla ports, to promote eco-friendly shipping practices.
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Mundra & Pipavav:Mundra and Pipavav are expected to remain “cheapest hinterland-connected ports,” according to The Hindu Business Line.
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Red Sea Crisis:The Red Sea crisis is causing supply chain disruptions and delays, leading to shortages and price hikes, according to www.pittohiologistics.com.
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Indian Polar Vessel:India is collaborating with Norway to develop its first polar research vessel.
Polembros Shipping made a deal for tanker newbuildings with Zhoushan Changhong in China.
Polembros Shipping made a deal for tanker newbuildings with Zhoushan Changhong in China. The Greek owner acquired four LR2 tankers that are under construction at the Chinese shipyard, with early deliveries expected in the second half of 2026. The deal involved conventionally fueled 115,000-dwt tankers.
News & image courtesy Google.