Salvage workers have entered the burning freighter Fremantle Highway to make a fixed tow connection. The Coast Guard reports. The "new, sturdier" towing connection, through the top of the ship, will allow it to be better moved and kept under control. The ship is currently 23 kilometres north of Terschelling. Until now, there was only emergency connection between tugs and the freighter. Measurements by the salvagers show that the temperature on board the freighter has dropped significantly, and the fire is diminishing. The drop in temperature made it safe enough for the salvagers to board. The smoke is also diminishing, salvagers say. The salvagers are not staying on board, but are returning to the salvage vessels. It is not yet clear where the burning freighter will be towed to.

I'd suggest a convenient Russian port somewhere.

We can only hope, but it will go to Rotterdam or Wilhelmshaven

Yeah, nearest port with the correct facilities...unfortunately.

According to K Line the operator of the ship said there were 3,783 vehicles on board, all of them new, including the 498 EVs.

https://www.tradewindsnews.com/casua...ay/2-1-1492734

A start may be made today on towing the cargo ship near the Wadden Islands, but a time has not yet been set, Rijkswaterstaat said. The ship, the Fremantle Highway, is now north of Terschelling. The plan is for the vessel to be towed to a safer, temporary location about 16 kilometres north of Schiermonnikoog. The vessel will then be at a greater distance from shipping traffic. It will also be better sheltered in view of weather conditions. The operation is likely to take around 12 to 14 hours. According to the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management, the timing of the move depends, among other things, on smoke development, weather forecasts, tides and currents.

Once the operation starts, the stability of the ship will be "continuously monitored", Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Harbers wrote to the House of Representatives. Furthermore, the oil-fighting vessel Arca will be deployed, and the Coast Guard will supervise shipping. According to Harbers, this is "a challenging task". Nevertheless, "no direct consequences for the Wadden Islands, its inhabitants and nature are expected". The mayor of Schiermonnikoog said on Twitter to "keep a finger on the pulse" and "hold our hearts". Once the Fremantle Highway is at its new, temporary location, the intention is that the ship will then be towed to a "port to be determined", Harbers writes. That will only be possible if the situation on board the ship allows it.

Towing of the burning freighter Fremantle Highway to a temporary location has begun, reports the Department of Public Works. Just yesterday, the government agency said it was not possible to tow the vessel because of south-westerly winds, which would cause smoke to pass over the tugs. But this afternoon, the smoke coming from the freighter was "significantly reduced" and, as a result, the vessel can now be moved. Two tugs will take the Fremantle Highway to a temporary location, 16 kilometres north of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland. This is done at about 5.5 kilometres per hour. The location was chosen because it puts the vessel at a greater distance from shipping traffic. The vessel is also better sheltered there if the weather deteriorates, Rijkswaterstaat informed earlier. Currently, the vessel is still located north of Terschelling. When the cargo ship will arrive at the temporary site cannot yet be said, according to the government department. This depends on weather conditions, smoke development, currents and tides, among other things. "During towing, continuous monitoring will be carried out on, among other things, the stability of the ship," Rijkswaterstaat reported. Once the ship is at its new, temporary location, it will be assessed how to proceed.

So some electric cars spontaneously [sic!] decided to turn to combustion again

Yeah batteries tend to do that. Extinguishing is not an option, only an immersion tank full of water will work to prevent another fire. The car must remain underwater for 24 hours before emergency services continue to clean up. But that is not possible in this case.

The fire on freighter Fremantle Highway is out, reports the Department of Public Works after an initial inspection. "There are no indications that the fire is still raging," he said. According to Rijkswaterstaat, however, there is a possibility that the fire could flare up again. The situation on board is "still stable". The ship is intact below the waterline and is not tilting. The cargo ship arrived at its temporary location yesterday, some 16 kilometres north of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland. The new location provides a better starting position for the Coast Guard, Rijkswaterstaat and the cooperating salvage companies. The salvage companies are still working on a plan of action for towing to the final location. It is not yet known which port that will be.

I can’t see the ship and its cargo as anything other than a total loss. If it were up to me I’d pump out the fuel oils then tow the ship out the deepest part of the ocean and sink it.

For the owner it will be a total loss, think it will be sold to a ship junkyard

Better still, take it to some Russian port and have it block the navigation channel.

From my suspicious mind, it's not a loss if there were no customers to buy those vehicles in this green new deal economy? :hmmm: