Car carrier fire not caused by EVs

author: FutureCar Staff    

Executives from salvage companies have dismissed speculation that an electric vehicle (EV) caused the fire on board the car carrier Fremantle Highway. The Panama flagged car and truck carrier, chartered by K Line, was traveling from Bremerhaven in Germany to Singapore when the fire broke out on July 25th. According to maritime-executive.com, salvage specialists have questioned the theory that the fire started with one of the electric cars. They pointed out that a significant number of EVs remained intact on the lower decks and the speed at which the fire was extinguished was inconsistent with EV battery fires.

Contrary to initial reports, it is now believed that between 900 and 1,000 cars, including the EVs, were in good condition. There were reportedly 498 EVs on board. The fire is believed to have originated on the eighth deck, which suffered the most damage, according to a salvage executive interviewed by Bloomberg. However, the executive also stated that transporting electric vehicles introduces additional risks, a statement that has caused controversy.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and insurance experts will make the final ruling. The ship is currently being stabilized at a pier in Eemshaven, a facility operated by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. Salvage teams and investigators are working to develop plans and uncover the origins of the fire. The engine room remains in good condition, and a new crew has been flown in from Japan to operate the ship's systems.

Executives from Boskalis, another salvage company involved in the operation, believe that leaked photos of the damage were taken by an insurance adjuster or an inspector working for the vessel's owner. The photos, which showed warped decks and burnt-out car frames, were also shared on social media by a German politician campaigning for stricter safety regulations for the shipment of electric vehicles. Some of the cars depicted in the photos were identified as Porsche 911s, Cayennes, and Mini Clubmans.

Sections of the ship have suffered significant damage, with the decks becoming unstable in places. The intensity of the fire caused the car frames to fuse with the deck. However, the cars on the lower decks appear to be undamaged. Boskalis emphasized that there is currently no plan to offload any of the cars due to concerns about the risk of another fire starting if they are moved.

FutureCar Staff