The Fremantle Highway freighter arrived earlier than expected at an anchorage located 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of the Dutch islands of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland, thanks to favorable currents, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management said.
A rescue team plans to board the burning ship “as soon as possible” to carry out an inspection, the ministry added.
The ship carrying 3,783 new vehicles, including 498 electric vehicles, from Bremerhaven in Germany to Singapore has been on fire since Tuesday last week. Firefighters decided not to put out the flames with water for fear the nearly 200-meter (656-foot) ship would become unstable as it floated near North Sea shipping lanes and a world-renowned migratory bird habitat.
A photograph posted online by the Dutch Ministry on Monday showed almost no smoke emanating from the ship. The Ministry stated that the smoke was “minimal” when it was being towed.
It is not clear where the Fremantle Highway will be taken next.
“The final port is not yet known,” the Ministry added. “It depends in part on the situation on board the cargo ship, the expected weather conditions and an available port with suitable facilities.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known. A member of the ship’s crew died after the freighter blew up and others were injured. The crew was evacuated early Wednesday morning.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
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