According to Indian maritime authorities, the container ship Wan Hai 503 remains under tow and is currently awaiting confirmation of a safe harbor.

On June 9, few could have predicted the prolonged salvage efforts following an explosion and fire aboard Wan Hai 503 off the coast of Kerala. The blaze destroyed nearly all cargo holds forward of the deckhouse, leaving behind smoldering wreckage, with several hotspots yet to be fully extinguished. Now, 39 days later, faint gray smoke and elevated temperatures persist in Bays 33 to 37, although conditions have been brought under control and temperature readings inside the holds show a downward trend.

In recent weeks, the T&T Salvage team has made significant progress in stabilizing the situation. Extensive dewatering operations have dried out Holds 2 and 3, and water in the engine room has been reduced to less than one meter at the bottom. After enduring prolonged rough seas and high waves, responders have managed to restore the ship's list, trim, and draft to near-normal levels—although the waterlogged containers appear to have added more weight than a typical loaded cargo. Six salvors are temporarily living aboard the damaged vessel, as sea conditions remain too hazardous for safe cargo transfer.

The arrangement of a refuge port has not yet been finalized. The team continues working to meet the final items on their safety checklist before seeking entry. One key issue is the excessive hydrogen sulfide gas detected from Hold 7, which has prevented safe access without proper ventilation.

Fortunately, there are no signs of oil leakage inside or outside the vessel—a critical factor for port authorities considering the refuge request. While full inspection of the fuel tanks is still pending, the response team estimates approximately 2,400 tonnes of fuel remain on board. Once a comprehensive assessment of the vessel’s structural integrity and post-fire longitudinal strength is completed, preparations for port entry will be finalized.