Mercedes, BMW among 3,000 luxury cars in ship burning off the Dutch coast. The fire can't be put out soon

A cargo ship named Fremantle Highway, caught fire off the Dutch coast on its journey from Germany to Egypt, carrying nearly 3,000 vehicles, including 350 Mercedes-Benz cars. The vessel, managed by a Japanese company and registered in Panama, was manned entirely by an Indian crew of 21 members.

Tragically, one crew member lost his life, and few others sustained injuries during the incident. As the fire continues, concerns about potential environmental consequences in the ecologically sensitive Wadden Sea region remain high.

We are deeply saddened by the incident involving Ship ‘Fremantle Highway’ in North Sea, resulting in the death of an Indian seafarer & injuries to the crew. Embassy of India is in touch with family of the deceased & is assisting in repatriation of the mortal remains @MEAIndia

— IndiainNetherlands (@IndinNederlands) July 26, 2023

What happened?

• The fire began on Tuesday (July 25) night, shortly after it left the German port of Bremerhaven.
•  It was 27 km (17 miles) north of Ameland when the fire started forcing several crew members to jump overboard for safety. 
• The Dutch coastguard, along with rescue ships, rushed to the scene and attempted to control the blaze. However, the fire continued to rage, posing significant challenges for suppression efforts.

Why not douse the fire off at once?

• The use of excessive water to cool down the vessel can trigger the risk of its sinking, further complicating the situation. And the chemicals from the ship and the drowned cars would endanger the marine life in the area.
• According to reports, the fire might persist for several more days, making it difficult to bring under control.
• The fire's origin remains unknown, but it was reported to have started near an electric car, of which there were approximately 25 onboard.

Potential environmental impact

• The cargo ship's location near the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a crucial habitat for migratory birds, raised concerns about potential environmental consequences.
• The Wadden Sea, encompassing Dutch and German islands, contains more than 10,000 diverse aquatic and terrestrial species, including endemic seals and porpoises.
• If the Fremantle Highway sinks, there could be severe repercussions for this sensitive ecosystem, with far-reaching consequences for marine life and the environment.
• Among the diverse aquatic life in the area are over 140 species of fish, with approximately 20 of them residing exclusively in the tidal areas along the renowned mud flats of the islands.

• The fire incident occurred in one of the busiest sea lanes of communication, raising environmental concerns due to the heightened movement of vessels in the area. Recent mishaps in this region have intensified worries about potential environmental impacts.
• "This could be an environmental catastrophe for the North Sea and the Wadden Sea," a spokesperson for the De Noordzee Association told the Dutch news agency ANP.
• Therefore, as the efforts to mitigate the fire are on, salvage experts are simultaneously assessing the situation to determine the best course of action to minimise the environmental impact. However, the process is complex and uncertain, requiring careful planning and execution.

The incident has also highlighted the risks associated with transporting electric vehicles by sea.

Why?

• Electric cars' lithium-ion batteries can lead to hazardous fires, posing challenges for firefighters and potentially causing significant damage to cargo ships.
• When the batteries overheat and a 'thermal runaway' occurs, then it gets dangerous," said Uwe-Peter Schieder, master mariner and representative of the German Insurance Association to Reuters.

A massive cargo ship holding thousands of luxury cars was left floating across the Atlantic after it caught fire near an island in the Azores. pic.twitter.com/iYhZwrfHCU

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 19, 2022

• The International Maritime Organization (IMO), responsible for safety standards at sea, plans to evaluate new measures for ships carrying electric vehicles.
• These regulations may include specifications for water extinguishers on boats and limitations on battery charging to mitigate the risk of fires and improve overall safety.