EVs not responsible car carrier fire

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【Summary】Executives from salvage companies refute claims that an electric vehicle (EV) caused the fire on the car carrier Fremantle Highway. The fire, which occurred while the ship was en route to Singapore, is believed to have started on the eighth deck. Despite some damage, a large number of EVs on the lower decks remained intact, suggesting that the fire did not originate from one of them.

FutureCar Staff Aug 24, 2023 9:43 AM PT

Executives from salvage companies have dismissed speculation that an electric vehicle (EV) caused the fire on the car carrier Fremantle Highway. The Panama-flagged ship, chartered by K Line, was en route to Singapore from Bremerhaven when it caught fire on 25 July. Salvage specialists have questioned the theory that the fire started with one of the EVs, pointing out that a large number of them were intact on the lower decks. They also noted that the speed at which the fire subsided was inconsistent with EV battery fires, according to maritime-executive.com.

There were reportedly 498 EVs on board the ship, but between 900 and 1,000 cars, including the EVs, appeared to be undamaged. The fire is believed to have originated on the eighth deck, which suffered the most damage, as stated by a salvage executive to Bloomberg. However, the executive also mentioned that transporting electric vehicles introduces additional risks, causing further controversy.

The cause of the fire will be determined by insurance experts, as salvage teams and investigators work to stabilize the ship at a pier in Eemshaven, a facility owned by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. Some parts of the ship, such as the engine room, are still in good condition, and a new crew has been flown in from Japan to operate the systems.

Executives from Boskalis, another salvage company, believe that leaked photos of the damage inside the vessel were taken by an insurance adjuster or an inspector working for the ship's owner. The photos, which show warped decks and burnt-out car frames, include recognizable Mini models and Porsche 911s and Cayennes, according to Splash247.com. These photos were also shared on social media by a German politician who is campaigning for stricter safety regulations for the shipment of EVs.

Sections of the ship have been severely damaged, with unstable decks and car frames fused to the deck in some areas. While the cars on the lower decks appear to be undamaged, Boskalis emphasized that no decision has been made to offload any of them due to concerns about the risk of another fire starting during the removal process.