Fire Erupts on Cargo Ship in Port of Antwerp, Smoke Alert Issued

A fire broke out aboard the general cargo ship FWN Adriatic on July 16 while it was docked at Fifth Harbor Dock in Belgium’s Port of Antwerp. Emergency response teams are actively working to bring the situation under control, and a smoke advisory has been issued for the nearby area of Merksem.

The Antwerp fire brigade received the first report of the incident at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time. The vessel was reportedly transporting vehicles and plasterboard used for drywall construction.

Thick smoke was seen billowing from the ship as the fire took hold. Firefighters, supported by a firefighting vessel, responded quickly to the scene. Once the crew managed to seal the ship’s hatches, the volume of smoke was reduced. To further suppress the blaze and limit smoke emissions, crews deployed CO₂ inside the vessel.

Due to the direction of the smoke, local authorities issued a warning for residents in Merksem, a municipality close to the port. People in the affected area were advised to keep doors and windows shut if the smoke was causing any irritation.