Wanhai 503 Fire has not been extinguished for 20 days! The stern is sinking + joint marine damage risk! Cargo owners urgently concerned!

A container ship under Wan Hai has still not extinguished the fire more than 20 days later, the hull is severely damaged, and it may face general average! At the same time, cargo owners need to be wary of the high penalty risks for concealing or omitting cargo information!

According to foreign media reports, the "Wan Hai 503" (Wangchun) vessel under Wan Hai Shipping is still undergoing rescue operations more than 20 days after a serious fire occurred. The ship has now been towed to about 130 nautical miles outside India's exclusive economic zone, but the situation remains grim.

The No. 4 cargo hold continues to smolder, with light smoke still rising, posing a risk of smoldering combustion and possible re-ignition. The stern is sinking, the hull is tilting, and the engine room is severely flooded. Five drainage pumps are continuously operating, but the ship's structure is damaged, and stability is in question. Strong winds and high waves make boarding difficult, and firefighting and drainage efforts are progressing slowly.

India refuses to be a refuge port; vessels must maintain stability before being allowed to dock. Currently, they are still being towed by the tugboat "Ocean Warrior," while other ships are monitoring from the periphery.

The insurance consulting company WK Webster pointed out that shipowners are likely to declare general average.

According to maritime practice, general average refers to the situation when a vessel carrying cargo is owned by one or more parties, and in order to maintain the safety of all, it is necessary to sacrifice part of the ship's cargo, the losses incurred are to be shared by the cargo owners to adjust the extent of the loss. This means that all owners of salvaged cargo must provide a general average guarantee in order to retrieve their goods.

Currently, the cargo in hold No. 4 may be damaged, but the cargo at the rear of the gangway has not been directly affected by the fire (may be affected by firefighting water immersion). Rescue and general average handling may take a long time, and the cargo owner needs to closely monitor the vessel's dynamics and maintain communication with the shipping company.

Previously, Wan Hai Lines reiterated: All customers must declare their goods truthfully. Concealment/omission/misreporting will face the following penalties:

(a) Concealment of hazardous materials: Fine USD 100,000/UNIT, to be paid within 7 days;

(b) Non-dangerous goods concealment: Fine USD 100,000/UNIT + full compensation for all losses, to be paid within 7 days;

(c) Once discovered that there is a concealment: Immediately pay a deposit of USD 100,000/UNIT (covering box damage, overdue fees, customs fees, etc.), and the shortfall must be made up within 7 days.

The informant must also bear the responsibility for safety accidents and legal accountability!

Concealing cargo may lead to safety hazards in vessel navigation and may trigger liability for safety incidents and legal accountability. All cargo owners are requested to strictly adhere to declaration regulations to avoid significant losses due to minor issues.