Burning Car Carrier off Dutch Coast Being Towed to New Location for Salvage Operation
AMSTERDAM, July 31 – In a challenging salvage operation, a burning car carrier off the Dutch coast is being towed to a new location away from shipping routes, according to the Dutch water board Rijkswaterstaat and media reports.
The ship, called Fremantle Highway, will be towed to a location located 16 km north of the Dutch islands Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, as stated by Rijkswaterstaat on Sunday.
The towing operation commenced on Sunday, but the board mentioned that the arrival time of the ship, which was en route from Germany to Egypt when the fire broke out, will depend on variables such as weather conditions, smoke development on the carrier, current, and tide.
Tragically, the fire led to the death of one Indian crew member and injured seven others who had to jump overboard to escape the flames. The ship, registered in Panama, is owned by Japan’s Shoei Kisen, with an entirely Indian crew of 21 members.
A spokeswoman from Rijkswaterstaat informed the ANP Dutch press agency that at the temporary location, the ship will be positioned further away from shipping routes and slightly out of the wind. This relocation is considered an intermediate step in the difficult salvage operation, the spokeswoman added.
According to ship charter company “K” Line, there were 3,783 vehicles on board, including 498 battery electric vehicles, which is significantly more than the initially reported 25. However, the company declined to disclose details about the car brands carried, including whether any were from Japanese manufacturers.
This incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with the transportation of electric vehicles (EVs) and their lithium-ion batteries. EV batteries burn with twice the energy of a normal fire, and experts argue that the maritime industry has not kept up with the risks posed by these batteries.
The salvage operation is expected to be complex and demanding due to the nature of the fire and the need to ensure the safety of the vessels involved. The entire incident underscores the importance of addressing safety measures and regulations surrounding the transportation of EVs and their batteries.
Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; editing by Robert Birsel