Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Delphine

The fire that occurred aboard the vessel 'Delphine' has been successfully extinguished. Initially contained on the day of the incident, lingering concerns remained due to the presence of electric vehicles among the cargo. On April 18, the Bruges fire brigade undertook the critical task of ventilating the ship's hold, which housed the charred cars. Careful measures were taken to avoid reigniting the flames during this process. Firefighters efficiently opened the ship’s hatches before methodically activating the ventilation system, ensuring a smooth operation with no incidents reported. With these efforts, the threat of a fire resurgence has been eliminated, and access to the deck has been fully restored. However, the timeline for the removal of the burned vehicles remains unclear, with estimates indicating that approximately 100 cars were lost in the blaze.

A devastating fire aboard the 'Delphine' at the port of Zeebrugge has resulted in significant damage, with nearly 100 vehicles reportedly destroyed. Emergency response teams, wearing fire-resistant suits and equipped with oxygen tanks, engaged in firefighting efforts after discovering the blaze on the car deck, where 140 vehicles were initially parked. Sadly, at least 100 of these vehicles, which included a notable number of electric cars, have burned beyond repair. The intense heat from the fire, with temperatures ranging between 60 to 100 degrees Celsius, posed a challenge for extinguishing efforts, as reopening hatches could reignite the flames due to increased oxygen flow. In a strategic move around midnight, firefighters introduced nitrogen into the affected area to suppress the fire further. Subsequent meetings in the morning confirmed that the space would remain sealed to prevent any flare-ups. The vessel was also armed with CO2 tanks, which were employed to combat the initial fire. However, officials indicate that the extraction of burned vehicles will be a prolonged process, especially given that the upper deck is laden with trailers that must also be offloaded. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on April 18, a ventilation operation utilizing high-pressure fans was conducted and continued into the evening. Due to the prevailing landward winds, concerns about smoke and odor disturbances in the surrounding area remained a priority. Meanwhile, fireboats remained on standby, actively cooling the hull to mitigate the risk of a re-ignition of the fire.

On April 16, 2025, at 3 p.m. local time, a substantial fire erupted aboard the cargo ship 'Delphine' while it was docked at Britannia Dock in Zeebrugge. The vessel had arrived from Immingham the previous day, carrying 110 electric cars. Emergency response teams, including firefighters, mobilized quickly to address the situation. Fortunately, all individuals onboard were safely evacuated without any reported injuries. The ship's captain chose to stay onboard to oversee operations alongside the fire brigade and other emergency responders. Firefighting efforts were robust, involving four tugs that were brought in to help control the blaze and cool the starboard side of the vessel. The ship's internal firefighting system was also activated, utilizing carbon dioxide to suffocate the flames. As the smoke billowed from the electric cars, visibility within the hold diminished significantly, complicating extinguishing efforts. Fire officials remained cautious about reopening hatches, aware that this could reignite the fire. Despite the emergency, regular shipping operations at the port were not heavily affected, although one ship at the LNG terminal experienced delays due to the safety perimeter established around the incident. Investigations into the extent of the damage and the cause of the fire are ongoing. For more details, you can view related reports and images at [VRT](https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/04/16/brand-cargoschip-zeebrugge/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJsukpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkXXEm991fWYvFkGT82yNG3f2l3C3_KoYBSUpmK08mIF06cgsQM4eP6jIfko_aem_Ctw36kMssSfI_sSFUneKdQ) and [Focus WTV](https://focus-wtv.be/nieuws/brand-op-russisch-cargoschip-in-haven-zeebrugge-brandweer-nog-volop-aan-het-blussen).