Fire on Ro/Ro Cargo Ship in Zeebrugge Highlights Risks of Electric Vehicle Fires

A fire broke out on a ro/ro cargo ship at the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium, prompting an immediate emergency response. Ro/ro fires are a serious concern, especially with the increasing presence of electric cars. The potential consequences of these fires are severe, as they can spread quickly within enclosed decks and are harder to extinguish. New industry guidelines recommend early evacuation, ventilation shutdown, and CO2 flooding to prevent the fire from spreading or causing injuries.

The fire started on the third deck of the ro/ro cargo vessel Delphine, which contained 60 electric vehicles and 40 conventional cars. The captain evacuated the 26-member crew but remained onboard to coordinate with firefighters and other responders. Firefighting tugs also arrived to provide cooling water. The fire was eventually brought under control using the CO2 system, despite challenges caused by smoke from the electric cars.

The fire department is on standby for potential reflash and is bringing in inert gas to displace oxygen in the hold. While it is believed that 60-70 vehicles have burned out, the full extent of the damage is still unknown. Fortunately, no injuries or pollution have been reported, and containment barriers are in place to prevent any contaminants from spreading. The situation is being closely monitored to ensure that the fire remains under control.

Source