- Its cargo of 2,420 used vehicles was declared a total loss valued at $40m, with the liability falling on the cargo insurers.
- Detection of the fire was delayed because the vessels’ fire detection systems had not yet been reactivated after loading was completed.
- The National Transportation Safety Board has issued eight safety recommendations to federal regulators and the companies involved in the accident.
According to the US National Transportation Safety Board, an electrical malfunction caused by an incorrectly disconnected battery in a used vehicle caused a fire onboard a vehicle carrier, resulting in $40 million in losses as reported by Lloyds List.
Huge loss
The blaze in June 2020 onboard Höegh Xiamen, (IMO: 9431848) broke out in the port of Jacksonville, Florida, shortly after it had completed loading of a consignment of used cars bound for West Africa.
Its cargo of 2,420 used vehicles was declared a total loss valued at $40m, with the liability falling on the cargo insurers.
P&I club Gard also has potential liability for what will be a major personal injury claim from the firefighters.
Salvage operations were completed in August 2020, with the vessel towed to Turkey to be recycled.
There have been at least five major fires on pure car and truck carrier vessels since 2015, and the issue is of growing concern to marine insurers.
Accident report
The National Transportation Safety Board marine accident report concluded that many of the vehicles loaded onto Höegh Xiamen had batteries that were not disconnected and secured in accordance with applicable procedures, which increased the risk of electrical arcing and component faults.
During loading operations, both the loading personnel and crew missed opportunities to address these hazards.
Detection of the fire was delayed because the vessels’ fire detection systems had not yet been reactivated after loading was completed.
The two companies did not identify that Grimaldi’s vehicle battery securement procedures were not being followed.
This resulted in an electrical fault from an improperly disconnected battery in a used vehicle on cargo deck eight.
Specially designed vehicles
Contributing to the delay in the detection of the fire was the crew not immediately reactivating the vessel’s fire detection system after the completion of loading.
“The transportation of used vehicles, such as those that were loaded on vessels like the Höegh Xiamen, is currently excepted from Hazardous Materials Regulations when a vessel has a storage area specifically designed and approved for carrying vehicles,” the report said.
We found that used vehicles are often damaged and present an elevated risk of fire.
“We believe that greater inspection, oversight and enforcement are needed to reduce this risk.”
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued eight safety recommendations to federal regulators and the companies involved in the accident.
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Source: Lloyd’s List
