HÖEGH Autoliners announced that it is taking measures to reduce the risk of fire onboard its vessels.
“Together with a clear decarbonisation target, safety is our top priority both on our existing fleet and when designing our new Aurora class vessels,” Höegh Autoliners COO Sebjørn Dahl said.
“Fire safety has been a focus area and part of the design work from day one.”
Höegh said it focuses on on pre-emptive measures and emergency plans to help mitigate danger.
“To improve fire detection and the ability to handle a possible fire we have among other measures implemented an extended number of fire zones, and installed heat and smoke detecting cameras and fire blanket stations on all cargo decks,” the company said.
Mr Dahl said: “We’ve also improved the onboard digital platform. This enables us to include early warning if any loaded unit would send out notification of anomalies such as elevated battery temperatures.”
The company said it does not accept transportation of second hand electric vehicles, “as they may represent higher risk”.
“Höegh Autoliners have a close collaboration with DNV which enables us to be up to date and informed on the latest research and data on fire safety,” The company said.
“We aim to maintain high-voltage batteries in electronic and hybrid cars charged ideally below 30% and not above 50%, effectively mitigating the risk of fire incidents. This deliberate approach curtails energy density on the vessel’s deck, thereby reducing the potential severity of fires”.
