“Decks Completely Merged with Cars” Following Devastating Fire on Auto Carrier Ship
The speed at which the cargo onboard the “Fremantle Highway” can be salvaged remains uncertain. The CEO of the salvage company stated that many of the cars loaded on the ship have completely merged with the decks.
After the devastating fire on the car carrier ship off the Dutch coast, salvage teams inspected the vessel. According to reports, the top four decks of the “Fremantle Highway” have been severely damaged and are difficult to access. Salvaging the cargo is proving to be a challenging task. Experts estimate that approximately 2,700 out of the total of around 3,800 cars on board have been destroyed and will likely not be recovered. “A part of the decks is completely merged with the cars,” said CEO Peter Berdowski of Boskalis, the salvage company, to reporters in Eemshaven. The oil from the ship will soon be pumped out, reducing the risk of an environmental catastrophe, according to the Boskalis CEO. Oil Spill Threat in the Wadden Sea
After the fire raged for days, the Japanese cargo ship was towed to Eemshaven a week ago. The cause of the fire is believed to be the battery of an electric car, although this has not been confirmed. There was a risk of an oil spill in the North Sea, as well as the islands and nature reserves in the Wadden Sea. One person died during the evacuation of the crew. During the inspection, it became apparent that the lower four of the twelve decks are largely undamaged. Approximately 1,000 cars, including 500 electric vehicles, appear to be in good condition at first glance, according to Berdowski. However, it is still unclear how they can be salvaged. Transporting Electric Cars Risks Re-ignition
Experts from automakers including Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes will now examine how the vehicles can be transported safely. The electric cars have charged batteries, which can be highly dangerous, said Berdowski. “We don’t want the cars to re-ignite during transport, starting the whole misery all over again.” The “Fremantle Highway” can remain in the port until October 14th. From there, the vessel will be towed to another location, where it will be scrapped or repaired. This decision lies with the Japanese shipowner.
Source: DW.com
