Fremantle Highway to be towed to Eemshaven port

The Japanese-owned Fremantle Highway which caught fire on 25 July is currently anchored 16 km from Schiermonnikoog and Ameland.

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management said that consultation with all parties involved it was decided the port of Eemshaven was the most suitable location to move the damaged car carrier to continue the salvage of the vessel.

Eemshaven was chosen as it is short distance of 64 km from the Fremantle Highway’s current location, having the facilities required, combined with deteriorating weather conditions. The vessel is scheduled to depart on the morning of 3 August dependent on tidal and weather conditions.

The vessel’s condition is described as stable and the fire would appear to have been extinguished.

There were 23 people on board the vessel, comprising 21 crew, a pilot, and a superintendent, when the fire broke out late evening on 25 July. One of the seafarers died in the incident, while several others were injured.

The Fremantle Highway is owned Shoei Kisen Kaisha and chartered by K-Line. It was enroute from Germany to Singapore at the time of the incident.