What Crew Members Say About Fwn-Adriatic

The cargo vessel FWN Adriatic has successfully recommenced its maiden round-the-world voyage, three weeks following a fire incident in its hold during loading operations in Antwerp on August 5. The ship reached Rouen on August 8, and investigations into the fire's cause are still underway. Fortunately, the shipping company reported that the damage was primarily confined to soot. After loading project cargo in Rouen, FWN Adriatic set sail for Las Palmas, arriving there on August 14, before heading towards the Indian Ocean. Notable discharge ports include Toamasina, which it will visit on September 9, as well as Longini in the Mayotte archipelago, Toamas on Madagascar, Pointe des Galets on Réunion, and Moroni. Following these stops, the ship plans to load wind turbine components at three ports in China before heading to Rostock and Wilhelmshaven. This ambitious round-the-world journey is anticipated to span approximately five months.

The fire aboard the 'FWN Adriatics', docked in Antwerp, has been successfully extinguished following a relentless four-day battle against the blaze, concluding on July 20. The incident erupted on July 16 at approximately 11:15 AM as stevedores were in the process of unloading pallets loaded with plasterboard and vehicles. Promptly responding to the emergency, the captain of the 'FWN Adriatics' initiated safety protocols by sealing the vessel's hatches and unleashing CO2 into the affected cargo hold. On July 20, crews reopened the hatches, confirming the effectiveness of the CO2 suppression. Investigations are currently underway to assess the extent of the damage, while some cargo has already been cleared from the vessel at the 5th Harbour Dock. The origin of the fire remains undetermined, but ForestWave, the ship's operator, has announced a comprehensive investigation to follow. Notably, the 'FWN Adriatics' entered service earlier this year in May and embarked on its first voyage just days prior to the incident, on July 12, 2023. As of July 22, the vessel remains stationary in Antwerp, awaiting further developments.

As of July 17, 2023, the fire aboard the FWN Adriatic remains unresolved, sparking concerns over the safety of the vessel and its cargo. The blaze ignited during the process of loading vehicles and plasterboard, leading to an immediate response from the fire department. Firefighters closed the hatches and pumped CO2 into the affected area, but extinguishing the fire may take several hours. Initial reports indicate that pallets of plasterboard were the first items to catch fire, though the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The FWN Adriatic, which began its journey in May 2023 and completed its maiden voyage on July 12, has encountered an unprecedented situation for its operator, which boasts a fleet of 29 vessels. This incident marks the first time the shipping company has dealt with such a significant fire onboard, raising questions about safety protocols and cargo handling practices in the future.

On July 16, 2025, a dramatic fire ignited in the cargo hold of the 'FWN Adriatic' around 11:15 a.m. The incident unfolded in the 5th dock at the Port of Antwerp, situated close to the Noordkasteel Bridge. The vessel was loaded with plasterboard and vehicles when the blaze erupted, generating a substantial volume of smoke that prompted local residents to secure their doors and windows for safety. Firefighters quickly commenced their efforts to combat the flames from the quay, while a port fireboat was deployed to assist in the operation. As the firefighting team successfully sealed the ship's hatches, the visible smoke significantly diminished. Plans were in place to flood the cargo hold with CO2 to extinguish the fire completely, a process expected to take several hours. In light of the situation, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges issued warnings for shipping traffic in the waterway stretching from 5th Haven Dock km 1 to Amerika Dock km 1, as well as for berths 345 to 347. The cause of the blaze remains undetermined. Prior to the incident, the 'FWN Adriatic' had arrived from Eemshaven. For updates and visual coverage, check the reports available at: https://www.flows.be/havens/2025/07/vrachtschip-geladen-met-gips-en-voertuig-in-antwerpse-haven/ https://www.gva.be/incoming/brand-op-nieuw-schip-in-de-haven-brandweer-roept-op-om-ramen-en-deuren-gesloten-te-houden/78113770.html https://www.demorgen.be/snelnieuws/brand-op-vrachtschip-met-auto-s-en-gipsplaten-aan-boord-in-haven-van-antwerpen-hou-ramen-en-deuren-gesloten-bij-hinder~b9250d7e/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F https://www.pzc.nl/antwerpen/brand-op-splinternieuw-zeeschip-in-antwerpse-haven-veroorzaakt-veel-rookhinder-hou-ramen-en-deuren-gesloten~a9250d7e/