On the afternoon of May 15, the 190 meter long, 58096 dwt bulk carrier Trade (IMO: 9425942) caught fire while berthed at Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Trade was moored at the scrap terminal when a cargo of scrap caught fire in cargo hold #4. The local fire brigade was called out with multiple fire engines and fire boats responding. The burning scrap was hauled out of the cargo hold onto the quay where fire fighters would extinguish it while fireboats attempted to keep the bulk carrier’s hull cool.

Unfortunately, the time to extinguished the blaze was a slow and laborious process.  The fire could not be contained before it had spread into cargo hold #3.  Due to the high temperature, the #3 cargo hold hatches failed and eventually collapsed into the hold itself.  This prevented fire fighters to remove the scrap using a crane from that hold.

Reports state the fire spewed out large quantities of smoke that drifted over the center of the city. Authorities sent out an advisory to the surrounding area to bring in pets, turn off ventilation and close any open windows.  Due to the quantity of soot, authorities suggested that no one eat products from vegetable gardens that could be contaminated.

After 27 hours of fire fighting, the fire on board the Trade was finally was extinguished. A full log of events can be read on the Brandweer website. The extent of damage caused by the fire has not yet been disclosed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.  This is the second scrap metal fire to occur in the port. On April 24, the Federal Tweed also suffered a cargo hold fire containing scrap metal. Fire fighters used the same strategy by unloading the burning scrap to the quay where it would be extinguished. An investigation may provide insight if this strategy can be improved when dealing with scrap metal fires on board bulk carriers.