On February 21, 2025, a fire broke out aboard the Grande Congo, a 47,600 gross ton ro-ro cargo ship, on its ro-ro deck. The incident occurred while the ship was traveling across the Atlantic Ocean. The fire was reportedly extinguished and the vessel arrived in Newport News, Virginia, from Valencia on February 24, 2025. This marks the second casualty for a Grimaldi ship in recent days. The exact cause of the fire and the estimated loss remain unclear.


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On Friday, February 21, 2025, a fire broke out aboard the Grande Congo, a 47,600 gross ton ro-ro cargo ship, while it was in the Atlantic Ocean. The fire started on the ro-ro deck, and despite the severity of the incident, it was reported that the fire was extinguished before it could cause catastrophic damage. The vessel, which had arrived from Valencia, Spain, made it to Newport News, Virginia, on February 24, 2025.

This incident represents the second casualty to impact a Grimaldi Group vessel in a very short period. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, and the estimated financial loss from the fire has yet to be determined. However, the fire is considered a significant disruption to maritime operations and highlights the risks faced by ro-ro vessels. The incident comes amid increasing concerns about fire safety on board cargo ships.

The Grande Congo was built in 2010 and is a crucial part of Grimaldi’s ro-ro fleet. Fires on such vessels can have severe consequences not just for the ship but for the cargo it carries. Timely detection and response to fires can help minimize damage, especially in the confined spaces of a ro-ro deck.

Planck Vision Systems offers advanced thermal imaging solutions for maritime operations, such as the TRX600, TNC20 fixed mount, and TNC400PT cameras, which provide continuous monitoring of temperature variations. These tools are essential for early fire detection and prevention. They ensure constant vigilance, detecting even slight temperature fluctuations that could indicate the potential for a fire before it escalates. This proactive approach can be the difference between a contained incident and a devastating loss, providing essential protection for cargo ships navigating challenging maritime environments.


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