On the evening of May 16, the 23 meter long towboat Ina XL (MMSI: 244139668) sank in the port of Antwerp, Belgium. The Ina XL was reported to be moored near the Noordkasteel Bridge when it suffered uncontrolled water ingress and partially sank next to the quay. Authorities were alerted and requested divers to assist in refloating the towboat. No reports of injuries.
On the afternoon of April 16, the 234 meter long, 27687 dwt ro-ro car carrier Delphine (IMO: 9789245) caught fire while berthed at Zeebrugge, Belgium. The fire started on the vehicle deck where a cargo of electric vehicles were being stored. Reports state the deck filled with dense black smoke. Everyone on board the Delphine was safely evacuated to shore. No injuries reported.
Reports state the local fire brigade arrived aided by 3 fire tugs to contain the blaze. Authorities stated the vessel’s carbon dioxide fire suppression was able to contain the fire after the deck was sealed off. Fire fighters are monitoring the vessel in case the fire would flare up again.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. News reports suggest it may have started by one of the batteries on an electric vehicle. The amount of damage cause by the fire had not yet disclosed.
On the evening of January 14, the 73 meter long self-propelled container barge Hermes (MMSI: 205490990) caught fire on the Ghent Ringvaart near Merelbeke, Belgium. Reports state a boiler caught fire and released dense smoke. Local authorities and fire fighters were alerted and arrived on scene to find the blaze already extinguished. The fire fighters helped ventilate the vessel and stood down an hour later. No reports of injuries or pollution released.