Fire on Con-RO Ship Off Kent Coast, Crew Rescued

A fire broke out on the Con-RO ship Grande Brasile, operated by the Grimaldi Grand Brasile group, while it was 15 miles off the coast of Kent, England. The incident led to a rescue operation involving the British Maritime and Coast Guard agency (MCA) and RNLI rescue boats. The ship, which was en route to Le Havre, France, and Antwerp in Belgium, was left adrift following the fire. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident, and the fire was eventually extinguished.

Aircraft and additional ships equipped for firefighting were called in to provide support during the operation. The Grande Brasile, built in 2000, is a 3,515-track ship registered in Malta. Despite the fire, the ship remained under control and no defects were found during security checks conducted in 2024. The ship is insured by the Britannia P&I Club and is operated by Grimaldis Atlantic Container Line (ACL) unit.

The Grimaldi Group, a privately owned Italian shipping company, specializes in RO-RO ships, car carriers, and cruise ferries. The incident on the Grande Brasile highlights the importance of efficient rescue operations and safety measures in the maritime industry. The prompt response of the MCA, RNLI, and other supporting vessels helped prevent any casualties and ensured the safety of the crew and the ship.

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