Netherlands: Fire breaks out on board vehicle carrier in North Sea off Ameland July 26

Event

A fire broke out on board a pure car/truck carrier (PCTC), the Fremantle Highway, in the North Sea 11 NM north of Ameland early July 26, with the fire remaining out of control as of 13:00. Emergency services responded and rescued 23 of the crew; one fatality was reported, with 16 of the crew requiring hospitalization for respiratory problems. Firefighting efforts have been complicated due to fears that the use of water may cause stability issues, as the vessel already developed a list. The fire reportedly broke out on a cargo deck, although the cause remains uncertain. The Fremantle Highway is carrying 2587 cars, of which 25 were electric vehicles (EVs); EVs have been blamed for a number of fires aboard vehicle carriers in recent years.

Advice

Plan for possible shipping delays in the area in the coming days as firefighting efforts continue.