After Grimaldi’s Grande Europa caught fire, the company launched an appeal to introduce more stringent controls and regulations on cargo sea transport, not only for rolling units but also for containers.
Regarding rolling freight, the Grimaldi Group requested more controls on car batteries, which often cause short-circuits on board vessels, as well as in port terminals.
Moreover, it calls for the total prohibition of the presence of personal effects in second-hand vehicles, embarked on ro/ro vessels.
In addition, with regard to containers, Grimaldi urged the IMO to make mandatory the certification by a classification society of the correct stuffing of containers carrying dangerous goods.
Grande Europa, caught fire off the island of Mallorca, Spain, on May 15, the Spanish sea rescue society informed. The fire on the 51,714 GT ship has been brought under control by three fire fighting ships.
The incident is the second fire related concerning Grimaldi Lines vessels. Namely, the Italian con/ro ‘Grande America’ caught fire, approximately 140 nm off Finistère, forcing all 27 members of her crew to abandon ship, on March 10.
After being informed by the captain that the vessel was on fire, the Royal Navy diverted to the scene to provide assistance. Although no one from the crew was injured, some required hospital treatment.