Two Firemen Killed in Combo Carrier Fire [Port Newark, New Jersey – 06 July 2023]

Posted by admin on Jul 6, 2023 in Bulletins

A fire aboard the Grimaldi Line’s container/Ro-Ro carrier M/V GRANDE COSTA D’AVORIO (See photos above and below) has claimed the lives of at least two Newark, NJ firemen as the vessel erupted in fire the night of 05 July 2023 while starboard side to at Berth 18 Port Newark, New Jersey.

Reports coming to Blueoceana Company have us understand that the ship had previously loaded cargo at Baltimore, Maryland and had arrived at Port Newark early yesterday. The fire was reported around 9:00 pm, well after cargo operations began.

Unconfirmed reports lead us to surmise that the fire began during the loading of one particular automobile which had to be brought onto the ship through the use of “a pusher” (a tractor type vehicle providing mobility to the vehicle that simply would not startup on its own; a common occurrence). Those reports imply that the pusher was the source of the fire, which then spread to the vehicle being pushed; then onward to other stows. Other unconfirmed reports imply that it was the automobile being pushed that was the source of the fire.

It’s a likely bet that the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate and ultimately define the actual fact pattern.

Fire companies from Newark, neighboring communities and marine fire-fighting craft from other jurisdictions fought the fire throughout the night and into the morning.

Grimaldi Lines (and a handful of other ocean carriers) have for some time been engaged in the trade bringing used automobiles to several West African ports. The condition of many of those vehicles is said by some to be bordering on “junk”, with increased fire risks being present.

Over the last several years, fires aboard used car carrying vessels engaged in this particular trade have occurred with concerning frequency. Indeed, it’s our recollection that Grimaldi Lines’ vessels have suffered a disproportionate number of such fires. It’s deeply regrettable that lives have been lost owing to last night’s event.

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