Foreign Highway on fire: worry about environmental disaster

Foreign Highway on fire: worry about environmental disaster

cargo ship with 3,000 cars on fire off the Dutch island of Ameland: Environmental disaster threatens

Stand: 26.07.2023 4:48 p.m.

A cargo ship loaded with 3,000 cars, the "Frequent Highway", burns in front of the Dutch island of Ameland and could decrease. Experts warn of an environmental disaster for the North Sea. Rescue ships continue to try to keep the flames on board the 18,500 -ton car freighter. A tract has already attached a hood to the ship to keep it in place and not to block the important shipping route to Germany. However, the cable is not strong enough to tow the ship.

The fire on board the freighter broke out the night when the ship was on the way from Bremerhaven to Egyptian Port Said. It is believed that one of the 25 electric cars caught fire on board and the flames spread quickly. The 23-member crew initially tried to extinguish the fire. Some crew members jumped into the sea to save themselves. Most were saved with helicopters and taken to the hospital. A man died in the incident, the other 22 were slightly injured.

conservationists are concerned about the situation. The chairman of the German North Sea coast (SDN) Protection Association, Gerd-Christian Wagner, warns that the ship could become unstable and possibly decrease. It would be particularly dangerous if the heavy oil expires. West winds could drive the leaked oil into the German bay. At the moment there is still little information about the location on the freighter.

The mayor of the North Sea island of Borkum, Jürgen Akkermann, fears severe environmental damage in the event of a loss of the ship. Above all, the exit of heavy oil and the electric cars on board are a great danger. Lower Saxony's Environment Minister Christian Meyer warns that even small amounts of expiring substances could trigger an environmental disaster that would primarily affect seabirds. Long -term damage and consequences threaten if it is not possible to bring the damaged ship into a port or to bind the leaked substances.

The German Havaria command based in Cuxhaven supports the rescue operation in front of Ameland. The emergency tractor "Nordic" was sent to the scene of the accident and tried to cool the sides of the burning ship with extinguishing water during the day. The "FairPlay 30" later replaced the emergency tractor. Other ships from the German Havaria Command are on standby. The accident command is a joint establishment of the federal government and the five coastal countries and supports in the event of accidents on the North and Baltic Sea.

The shipping companies are already working on regulations and solutions to effectively combat fires on board cargo ships with electric cars. In the past there have been similar incidents. In February a fire also broke out on the "Freilantle Highway" when the ship was on the way from Emden to the USA. In March, an exercise with 130 emergency services was also carried out on the island to be prepared for a ship's accident with toxic chemicals.

The rescue operation and the fight against fire continue to continue. Further information on the current situation and the consequences for the environment are expected.