Connect with us

Incident

Four missing after explosion on Singapore-registered boxship “Wan Hai 503” off India

MPA was informed that there was a fire onboard the vessel, managed by Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) approximately 80 km southwest of Azhikkal in Kerala, which occurred at about 1230 hours on 9 June.

Admin

Published

on

Four missing after explosion on Singapore-registered boxship “Wan Hai 503” off India

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (9 June) was informed that there was a fire onboard the Singapore-registered container vessel Wan Hai 503, approximately 80 km southwest of Azhikkal, Kerala, India. 

According to a social media post, the Indian Coast Guard said it quickly responded after an “explosion” on the vessel with four of its vessels diverted for rescue. 

MPA said the incident occurred on 9 June 2025 at about 1230 hours (Singapore Time). The vessel is managed by Wan Hai Lines (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

“There were 22 crew members onboard. Eighteen crew members have been accounted for and were transferred from lifeboats to a passing vessel. There are no Singaporeans onboard,” MPA said in a statement. 

Four missing after explosion on Singapore-registered boxship “Wan Hai 503” off India

In a later update, MPA said it has been notified by the Indian authorities that 18 crew were safely transferred from lifeboats to an Indian Navy ship, which is en route to New Mangalore Port.

Four crew — two from Taiwan, one from Myanmar, and one from Indonesia — remain missing. Search and rescue (SAR) operations are ongoing.

Of the 18 rescued crew, five are reported to have sustained injuries. The injured crew are receiving medical treatment onboard the Indian Navy ship en route to port.

As at 2030 hours on 9 June 2025 (Singapore Time), a total of 3 vessels have been deployed by the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy to support the SAR operations. Aircraft have also been deployed to assist.

⁠MPA expressed its appreciation to the Indian authorities for their swift response in recovering the 18 crew and for their support for the ongoing SAR operations.

A MPA team is en route to support the Indian authorities.

“Our thoughts are with the crew and their families during this difficult time. Updates will be provided when further information becomes available,” MPA added. 

 

Photo credit: Indian Coast Guard
Published: 10 June, 2025

Continue Reading

Incident

MPA probes Singapore Strait collision involving fishing vessel, bulk carrier

MPA says there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel in the incident involving China-registered fishing vessel “Lu Qing Yuan Yu” and Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux” .

Admin

Published

on

By

Panama-registered bulk carrier “First Margaux”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (22 September) said it is investigating the incident involving the China-registered fishing vessel Lu Qing Yuan Yu and the Panama-registered bulk carrier First Margaux in the Singapore Strait on 17 September.

MPA said there were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel or pollution arising from the incident and navigational traffic was not affected.

Videos circulating on social media showed the bulk carrier colliding with the fishing vessel.  

“The fishing vessel took on water during the incident but remained afloat and stable, with the crew taking measures to manage the situation onboard,” MPA said. 

The vessel was subsequently towed to Raffles Reserved Anchorage for assessment. 

Essential crew remained onboard to support the tow, while the Singapore Civil Defence Force supported the transfer of other crew to shore. 

MPA added it also issued navigational safety broadcasts to keep other vessels clear of the tow and escorted the vessel into port with a MPA craft.

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Arnold Pohen
Published: 25 September, 2026

Continue Reading

Incident

MPA: 25 crew rescued after abandoning “MSC HERMES III” east of Vietnam

MRCC Singapore coordinated the rescue after receiving a distress alert at about 8.45am as the vessel was within Singapore’s Maritime Search and Rescue Region.

Admin

Published

on

By

RESIZED bunker tanker singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Tuesday (22 September) said all 25 crew members from the Liberia-registered container vessel MSC HERMES III were rescued on 22 September 2026. 

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Singapore coordinated the rescue after receiving a distress alert at about 8.45am (Singapore Time). 

“The vessel was within Singapore’s Maritime Search and Rescue Region (MSRR), about 300km east of Vietnam,” MPA said in a statement. 

MRCC Singapore immediately issued a broadcast requesting vessels in the vicinity to render assistance. Three vessels responded, and MSC RUBY recovered all 25 crew members after they had abandoned MSC HERMES III in a lifeboat. 

“All 25 crew members are safe, with no injuries reported,” MPA said. 

“MRCC Singapore is coordinating with the Vietnamese MRCC on arrangements for the rescued crew members to return safely to shore.”

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 23 September, 2026

Continue Reading

Incident

Peninsula: Missing “Hercules Star” crew member found dead after Dubai incident

Firm confirmed crew member reported missing following last week’s incident involving bunker tanker “Hercules Star” off Dubai has been found dead.

Admin

Published

on

By

bunker tanker Hercules Star

Marine fuels supplier Peninsula on Thursday (17 September) confirmed that the crew member reported missing following last week’s incident involving bunker tanker Hercules Star off Dubai has been found dead.

The confirmation brings the death toll from the incident to two.

“Following the report of a loss of life during the incident involving the Hercules Star in the early hours of 9th September whilst at anchor off Dubai, we regret to announce that the missing crew member has been found deceased,” company said. 

“Their family have been informed, and we continue to offer our full support and our deepest condolences.”

“All members of the Hercules Star crew have now been repatriated and we continue to support them.”

According to a Reuters report last week, citing preliminary assessments by maritime security sources, the vessel may have been struck by a drone.

The report also said the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report of a vessel listing while at anchor about 24 nautical miles off the UAE’s Port Rashid, with the condition “possibly indicating water ingress following an attack from an unknown projectile”.

Related: Peninsula confirms one fatality, crew member missing from bunker tanker “Hercules Star”

 

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 18 September, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending