Leading Car Carrier Doubles Down On Fire Safety

Hoegh Autoliners has implemented a series of proactive steps to augment existing safety strategies and help mitigate danger on its existing fleet of pure/car truck carriers (PCTCs) as well as its 9,100 CEU-capacity Aurora-class newbuilds, due for delivery from 2024 onwards.

In addition to the intensified fire protection measures, the company said that it is currently not accepting transportation of secondhand EVs, because these may represent a higher risk.

The pre-emptive strategy is a reaction to the industry’s acknowledgement of the need for extra vigilance in the wake of a succession of emergency situations and casualties that have brought attention to factors such as thermal runaway, saltwater intrusion and compromised battery cells or components.

Hoegh Autoliners’ bid to improve fire detection and the ability to handle a fire situation includes an extension to the number of fire zones in each ship and the fitting of heat- and smoke-detecting cameras and fire blanket stations on all cargo decks. Furthermore, the amount of CO₂ aboard is in excess of Class requirements, thereby providing a greater volume of efficient fire extinguishing capacity.

The operator’s vessel pre-loading fire risk management procedures specifically include checks to ensure that high-voltage batteries in electric or hybrid cars are charged, ideally, at levels below 30%, and not above 50%, to mitigate the possibilities of fire incidents. This approach effectively curtails energy density on a cargo deck, thereby reducing the potential severity of fires.

The onboard digital platform has also been improved, so as to provide early warning of anomalies such as elevated battery temperature in any loaded unit.

Crews of the PCTCs undergo regular refresher training and drills on fire safety and firefighting techniques. Cooperation with training centres ashore focuses on hands-on firefighting practices and safety procedures for high-temperature fires.

In addition to the various practical measures, Hoegh Autoliners collaborates with DNV in order to remain up-to-date and informed as to the latest research and data on fire safety.