Marhaba Operation: Spain implements emergency plan to prevent car battery fires on ferries

In response to the growing concern over fires caused by electric car batteries on ferries, the Spanish government has activated an emergency plan as part of Operation Passage of the Strait. Reliable sources close to the Ministry of Transport have reported an alarming increase in fires on ships, exacerbated by the intense heat and the massive influx of vehicles, as reported by Vozpopuli. 

The Ministry of Transport advised shipping companies to adopt extra safety measures when transporting electric cars. Although the current regulations lack specific measures for such fires, the government is pushing for updates from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after incidents near Spanish coasts.

Ferry fires linked to electric cars have been a concern since 2017, leading to calls for stricter battery controls. Operation Passage of the Strait focuses on shipping companies expected to transport around 700,000 vehicles, requiring preventive measures.

Some cars come with unsuitable refrigerants for Spain’s temperatures, especially on summer ferries from Algeciras. Extinguishing these fires is difficult, with risks of reigniting days or weeks later.

The report from Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty linked nearly 240,000 ferry incidents between 2017 and 2022 to electric batteries, causing losses of 9.2 billion euros. They recommend using thermal cameras, gas detectors, and securing vehicles to prevent movement, and not recharging during voyages.

Operation Passage of the Strait, held annually from June 15 to September 15, eases travel for Maghrebi workers visiting North Africa from Europe. The 41st operation aims to prevent risk situations and handle contingencies during mass movements of people.

As of July 19, 2023, over 700,000 passengers and almost 176,000 vehicles crossed the Strait during Operation Passage of the Strait 2023, showing a 3.8% increase in passengers and 3.3% in vehicles compared to the previous year. The number of vehicles on board rose by 3.3% compared to the same period in 2022, with 175,977 vehicles.