Wan Hai 503 sent for recycling months after fire off India’s west coast
New Delhi: Nearly seven months after a dramatic onboard fire forced emergency response measures in the Indian Ocean, the container vessel Wan Hai 503 has been formally delivered for recycling, its operator Wan Hai Lines has confirmed. The Singapore-flagged ship, which caught fire on June 9, 2025, while sailing about 54 nautical miles off India’s west coast, has now reached the end of its operational life following a prolonged salvage, discharge and assessment process.
Built in 2005, Wan Hai 503—also known by its Chinese name Wan Chun Lun—was operated and technically managed by Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) Pte Ltd. The fire incident, which occurred during a routine voyage, triggered a coordinated emergency response involving coastal authorities, port officials and professional salvage teams. Thick smoke was reported onboard, prompting the company to immediately notify relevant authorities and the media on the day of the incident.
While no casualties were reported, the fire caused significant damage to the vessel, leading to a complex and extended recovery operation. In the weeks following the incident, the ship was directed to a port of refuge, where authorities oversaw safety inspections and the discharge of cargo to mitigate further risk.
In an update issued last week, Wan Hai Lines said all emergency response and casualty management measures linked to the incident have now been completed. “Following the discharge of all containers at the port of refuge in Jebel Ali on December 26, 2025, the vessel was subsequently towed to Drydock World Dubai,” the company said, outlining the final stages of the operation.
According to Wan Hai Lines, the vessel arrived safely alongside the designated berth at Drydocks World on the evening of January 12, 2026. After technical evaluations and consultations, the company decided to recycle the vessel rather than attempt repairs, citing safety, technical feasibility and economic considerations.
The ship was delivered to APT Global under a BIMCO Recycling Contract, a widely used industry framework designed to ensure transparency and compliance in ship recycling transactions. Wan Hai Lines noted that APT Global operates in line with the highest international standards and has the necessary infrastructure and procedures to handle end-of-life vessels responsibly.
“The vessel will now be recycled in accordance with the requirements of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships,” Wan Hai Lines said. The Hong Kong Convention sets global benchmarks for ship recycling, covering worker safety, environmental protection and the handling of hazardous materials such as asbestos, oils and heavy metals commonly found on older vessels.
Although the Hong Kong Convention is yet to be universally enforced, major shipowners have increasingly committed to aligning their recycling practices with its provisions amid rising scrutiny from regulators, financiers and environmental groups. Wan Hai’s decision to recycle Wan Hai 503 under these standards reflects a broader industry trend toward more transparent and responsible end-of-life management.
The incident involving Wan Hai 503 also highlights persistent safety challenges in container shipping, particularly the risks posed by fires linked to cargo, including misdeclared or improperly packed dangerous goods. In recent years, several high-profile container ship fires have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of cargo declaration rules, improved detection systems and enhanced crew training.
Industry experts note that while modern firefighting systems have improved, fires at sea—especially those involving containers stacked high on deck—remain difficult to control. In many cases, vessels that suffer serious fire damage face long periods out of service, costly repairs and uncertain insurability, making recycling a pragmatic option even for ships that are not particularly old by industry standards.
Wan Hai Lines, one of Asia’s prominent container carriers, said it would continue to engage with relevant authorities and stakeholders as required, even as the recycling process moves forward. The company also expressed gratitude to all those involved in managing the aftermath of the incident.
“We would like to thank all relevant authorities, partners and professional teams for their support and collaboration throughout the recovery effort,” the company said, acknowledging the role of port authorities, salvage experts, insurers and technical advisers in bringing the process to a close.
For India and the wider region, the incident and its resolution underscore the interconnected nature of global shipping, where emergencies at sea often involve multiple jurisdictions, ports and regulatory frameworks. As container traffic continues to grow in the Indian Ocean, maritime safety officials say sustained cooperation and preparedness will remain critical.
With Wan Hai 503 now destined for recycling, the chapter on one of 2025’s notable container ship incidents is drawing to a close. Yet the lessons from the fire—on ship safety, emergency response and responsible end-of-life practices—are likely to resonate across the shipping industry for years to come.
Author: shipping inbox
shipping and maritime related web portal
