Cargo Ship Carrying 3,000 Cars Catches Fire Off Dutch Coast

The Panama-registered Fremantle Highway cargo ship was on it’s way from Germany to Egypt when a fire broke out earlier this week, killing one crew member and injuring several others. The incident took place off the coast of the Netherlands, near the island of Ameland in the direction of the island of Terschelling. According to a Reuters report, the fire could have broken out due to an electric vehicle. The cargo ship was carrying 2,857 automobiles, out of which roughly 25 were electric.

Mercedes-Benz confirmed to Automotive News Europe that it had about 350 cars on board. In light of this, the International Maritime Organisation has made plans to asses the measures involved in transporting electric vehicles next year. Although it is still yet to be confirmed, but an emergency responder is heard in a recording released by Dutch broadcaster RTL saying "the fire started in the battery of an electric car."

Following the incident, the Indian Embassy in the Netherlands posted on social media about the death of an Indian seafarer and injuries to the crew. It also stated that the embassy is in touch with the family of the deceased. Japanese ship licensing company Shoei Kisen confirmed that the entire crew of 21 were Indian. In a bid to escape the fire, several crew members jumped off the ship and were rescued by the Dutch coastguard.

As per the latest Reuters report, the 199-metre Fremantle Highway is still burning off the coast of the Dutch coast and an investigation for the cause of the accident is underway. It is reported that electric vehicle fires can be more dangerous than that of regular internal combustion vehicles. Especially when the batteries overheat and a thermal runaway occurs due to a chemical reaction in the battery producing gases which inflate the battery.

Even though the investigation and implementation of new rules could take a while, there should most certainly be more emphasis on the amount of charge each electric vehicle may have while on-board a cargo ship along with the types of water extinguishers available to the crew members.