THE HAGUE (AFP) – A burnt-out car transport ship was towed to a northern Dutch port yesterday more than a week after catching fire at sea, averting a feared environmental disaster.
The Fremantle Highway arrived at Eemshaven port after a journey from a holding position, with local media images showing tugs dragging the scorched ship into the harbour.
One sailor died and 22 others were rescued after the Panamanian-flagged ship, carrying hundreds of electric cars among over 3,700 vehicles, caught fire off the Dutch coast on July 25.
While the situation had been largely under control for several days, bad weather in the North Sea raised further concerns it could leak oil or even sink while being towed to port.
The vessel had previously been anchored at a holding position 16 kilometres north of the islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland, where it was towed over Sunday and Monday.
A boat designed for cleaning up oil spills remained near the ship throughout the journey.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, although the vessel’s owner has said one of the electric vehicles on board may have been the source.
