Tugboats Tow Burning Freight Ship Carrying Thousands of Cars in North Sea
EEMSHAVEN, Netherlands (AP) — A freight ship that had been engulfed in flames for an entire week whilst carrying thousands of cars across the North Sea is now being towed towards a Dutch port for salvaging, announced the government of the Netherlands.
The Fremantle Highway, which was transporting 3,784 new vehicles, including 498 electric ones, caught fire on July 25 during its journey from the German port city of Bremerhaven to Singapore. The vessel, measuring approximately 200 meters in length, began its voyage towards the northern port of Eemshaven, accompanied by a boat equipped with special booms designed for oil spill clean-ups as a safety measure.
Onlookers gathered on a bridge and seawall at the Eemshaven port to witness the salvage operation of the gray freighter. The exact duration of the salvage work remains unclear. Groningen Seaports, the port authority, has pledged to collaborate with local organizations in order to minimize the possible damage caused to both humans and the environment.
The fire onboard the Fremantle Highway burned uncontrollably for a week whilst it lingered near busy shipping lanes in the North Sea and the shallow Wadden Sea, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage-listed migratory bird habitat. Dutch authorities refrained from spraying water onto the ship due to concerns regarding its stability.
Choosing Eemshaven as the designated port for salvage was based on multiple factors, according to the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Its proximity to the ship’s location in the North Sea, the deteriorating weather conditions, the existing infrastructure, and the available facilities for the salvage operation were all determining factors.
The fire on the ship also triggered concern in neighboring Germany, which shares the Wadden Sea with the Netherlands. Christian Meyer, the environment minister of Germany’s Lower Saxony state, expressed gratitude towards Dutch authorities for rapidly making a decision regarding the fate of the Fremantle Highway. Meyer stated, “With the decision, the nail-biting and the worry that the cargo ship could break apart and still lead to an environmental disaster in our inestimably valuable Wadden Sea hopefully will end.” Meyer also assured that his region had several ships on standby to combat potential oil leaks or assist with towing during the transfer. Additionally, Meyer urged Germany’s federal government to establish a route further from the coast for vessels transporting hazardous materials, including large car transporters.
Salvage experts have conducted inspections on most of the ship and have found no indications of ongoing fire, as confirmed by the Dutch ministry. The cause of the initial blaze remains unknown.
During the incident, one crew member tragically lost their life, while others sustained injuries. All 21 crew members, who are Indian nationals, as well as two additional individuals on board, were evacuated in the early hours of July 26.
Contributions to this news article were provided by Mike Corder in The Hague and Geir Moulson in Berlin.