A car carrier navigating the English Channel has encountered a fire, subsequently requesting assistance to safely tow the vessel. The situation involved the Grimaldi Euromed’s car carrier, Grande Roma, which had departed from Antwerp, Belgium, on October 24, en route to Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates.
Shortly after 10:00 p.m. local time on October 25, the captain reported a fire in the engine room while traversing the English Channel. Fortunately, the fire was contained to the engine area, and did not extend to the cargo. The crew promptly engaged the vessel’s carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishing system and focused on cooling the surrounding bulkheads as the situation progressed.
Despite their efforts to manage the fire, the vessel was immobilized and began drifting in the Channel. As the circumstances unfolded, a request for help was made by the master of the Grande Roma. In response, the rescue tug Abeille Liberte was contracted and successfully reached the disabled ship on the morning of October 27. A tow line was established, with the tow making its way towards Le Havre, France, as confirmed by Grimaldi, who expressed gratitude to the British and French authorities for their prompt assistance.
The Grande Roma, launched in 2003, is a sizable car carrier measuring 196 meters (632 feet) and boasts a capacity of 5,379 car equivalent units (CEUs). As part of their commitment to modernizing their fleet, Grimaldi is currently constructing larger, ammonia-ready car carriers in China, alongside expanding their offerings in cargo vessels and passenger ferries.
This incident marks the second fire involving a Grimaldi vessel in the English Channel this year, following an earlier incident in February involving the Grande Brasile, another car carrier, which also grappled with fire challenges before being ultimately sold for scrap in April.
The presence of effective maritime safety protocols is crucial during such incidents, emphasizing the collaboration between maritime authorities and shipping companies. This recent occurrence serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and rapid response in maritime emergencies, contributing to enhanced safety at sea.