Ten weeks after a fire broke out aboard the containership Wan Hai 503, the vessel remains stranded at sea with no port willing to accept it. What has emerged is a troubling case of a “ship no one wants,” as both India and Sri Lanka have denied refuge despite improving conditions onboard.
Taiwan-based owner and operator Wan Hai Lines, in its latest update issued last week, confirmed the ship remains stable under close monitoring. “We, in close coordination with our appointed experts and the salvage team, are in the process of liaising with potential ports of refuge,” the company stated, adding that the decision will depend on both the vessel’s suitability and the handling of fire-damaged cargo.
The fire began on June 9 while the vessel was transiting India’s Exclusive Economic Zone en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Nhava Sheva, India. The Indian Coast Guard led crew evacuations and extensive firefighting operations before salvage teams secured tow lines. However, Indian authorities ordered the ship further out to sea, wary of disasters such as the loss of the X-Press Pearl in 2021 and the more recent sinking of the MSC Elsa 3. On July 24, India officially relinquished involvement, transferring responsibility to the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore, the vessel’s flag state.
While the blaze has since been contained—with no flames and only residual smoke reported between bays 29 and 35—salvors continue cooling and dewatering operations onboard. Around 20 salvors are currently stationed on the ship.
With the vessel effectively homeless, its fate now hinges on whether a willing port of refuge can be secured to safely discharge the fire-damaged cargo and stabilize operations.