Fire Onboard Ship Carrying Thousands Of Cars Finally Burnt Out After Nearly A Week

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has reported that the fire that had engulfed the cargo ship “Fremantle Highway” carrying thousands of new cars has been extinguished after almost a week of relentless flames. The vessel had transported 3,783 new vehicles, including 498 electric ones, from Bremerhaven, Germany, to Singapore when the fire broke out on late July 25.

De #FremantleHighway’ ligt ten anker. De situatie aan boord van het vrachtschip is nog steeds stabiel. Bergers zijn bezig met een plan van aanpak voor de definitieve versleping en berging, Volg de ontwikkelingen via onze nieuwsfeed. https://t.co/YMYDwNV82c pic.twitter.com/nQwIlVgdjP

— Rijkswaterstaat (@Rijkswaterstaat) August 1, 2023

Due to concerns about the ship’s stability and proximity to North Sea shipping lanes and vital migratory bird habitat, firefighters chose not to use water to extinguish the flames, fearing it could compromise the 200-meter-long vessel’s integrity.

The situation aboard the cargo ship has been closely monitored, and officials from the Netherlands coast guard released photos on Monday indicating an absence of smoke billowing from the vessel. The ship is currently anchored approximately 16 kilometres north of the Dutch islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland.

Authorities are now deliberating on the most suitable port for towing the ship during the next phase of the intricate salvage operation. The Dutch Ministry assured that the recovery companies are working on a comprehensive plan to tow the freighter to its designated location and carry out the salvage operation.

Tragically, when the fire erupted, one crew member lost their life, and several others sustained injuries. Fortunately, in a successful rescue operation, the crew of 21 Indian nationals and two additional individuals on board were evacuated in the early hours of July 26.

The Dutch ministry’s coordination efforts have been critical in managing this challenging situation, and the ship’s stability below the waterline is being closely monitored to avoid potential environmental hazards. Updates will be provided as the salvage operation progresses and authorities work to bring the cargo ship to a safe port for further inspection and assessment.

Reference: AP News, Latestly, DW

Fire Onboard Ship Carrying Thousands Of Cars Finally Burnt Out After Nearly A Week appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News