A car carrier that caught fire off the coast of the Netherlands has been moved to a new location away from shipping lanes as part of a salvage operation, according to the Dutch public works and water management ministry and local media. The ship, called the Fremantle Highway and registered in Panama, was en route from Germany to Egypt when the fire broke out on July 26. It has now been towed to a spot north of the Dutch islands Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, as confirmed by the Rijkswaterstaat ministry.
Tragically, the fire resulted in the death of one crew member from India, while seven others jumped overboard to escape the flames and sustained injuries. The ship is owned by Japan’s Shoei Kisen, and all 21 crew members were Indian nationals. The incident involved a significant number of new cars, with the ship carrying a total of 3,783 vehicles, including 498 battery electric vehicles, which is a higher number than initially reported.
To ensure the safety of the salvage operation, the ship has been relocated to a new temporary location. This move allows the vessel to be further away from shipping routes and provides more protection from wind. The Rijkswaterstaat spokeswoman stated that this relocation is an intermediate step in the challenging salvage process.
The ship charter company “K” Line, responsible for the vessel, has not disclosed any information about the car brands on board, including whether any Japanese manufacturers are involved. However, it is important to note that lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles burn with twice the energy of a normal fire. This poses a significant risk, and both maritime officials and insurers have expressed concerns about the industry’s ability to address these risks adequately.
In conclusion, the burning car carrier off the Dutch coast has been successfully towed to a new location away from shipping lanes as part of the ongoing salvage operation. The incident resulted in the loss of one crew member’s life and injuries to seven others. The ship is now situated north of the Dutch islands Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, providing a safer environment for the salvage process. The number of vehicles on board, including battery electric vehicles, was higher than initially reported. The ship charter company has not disclosed specific details about the car brands involved. The incident highlights the heightened risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, which the maritime industry needs to address more effectively.
