Table of Contents
Introduction
The tragic Höegh Xiamen fire of June 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida, stands as a wake-up call for maritime safety. Caused by a preventable oversight — failure to disconnect vehicle batteries — the fire destroyed a $40 million vessel, injured nine firefighters, and exposed gaps in safety compliance and crew preparedness. This ship fire case study dives into what went wrong, what the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) uncovered, and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
What Exactly Happened?
On June 4, 2020, at around 15:30 EST, the Norwegian-flagged roll-on/roll-off vehicle carrier Höegh Xiamen was preparing to sail from Jacksonville, Florida, to Baltimore, Maryland. The crew noticed smoke coming from a ventilation housing linked to an exhaust trunk extending from deck 12 to deck 8, where used vehicles were stored.
The crew immediately began firefighting efforts but were overwhelmed by thick black smoke. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue teams arrived shortly after and took over. However, the blaze intensified, spreading rapidly across cargo decks and into the accommodation areas.
Firefighters battled the inferno for eight days, facing explosions and heavy heat. Nine firefighters were injured, five critically. Despite extensive efforts, the ship was declared a total constructive loss, carrying 2,420 used vehicles worth $40 million. Eventually, Höegh Xiamen was towed to Turkey for recycling in August 2020.
Probable Cause of Fire According to NTSB
The NTSB investigation (Marine Accident Report 21/04) revealed multiple safety failures that compounded the disaster.
Key findings included:
- Failure to Disconnect Vehicle Batteries
Many used vehicles loaded onto the ship had batteries still connected, violating safety protocols. This caused electrical arcing and short-circuiting, likely triggering the fire on deck 8. - Inadequate Supervision During Loading
Both Grimaldi Deep Sea (the charterer) and SSA Atlantic (the stevedore contractor) failed to ensure proper vehicle preparation. Oversight lapses during loading meant unsafe vehicles were allowed onboard. - Deactivated Fire Detection System
After loading, the crew forgot to reactivate the fire detection system, delaying early warning. The first sign of danger was visible smoke, not an alarm. - Delayed Activation of CO₂ System
The master hesitated to release the fixed CO₂ fire suppression system, allowing the fire to spread uncontrollably before CO₂ deployment could be effective. - Poor Communication with Rescue Authorities
The ship’s master lacked updated emergency contact details and was unaware of proper local reporting protocols, delaying coordination with the Jacksonville Fire Department.
NTSB’s Determined Root Causes
According to the NTSB, the primary cause was an electrical failure in a used vehicle on cargo deck 8 due to an incorrectly disconnected battery. The secondary causes included:
- Crew’s failure to reactivate the fire detection system after cargo loading.
- Ineffective supervision by loading personnel.
- Delayed activation of fixed firefighting systems.
- Lack of comprehensive emergency reporting procedures.
These combined factors turned a preventable spark into a catastrophic blaze.
Safety Issues Identified
The NTSB listed four key safety issues needing immediate attention:
- Inadequate Training for Vehicle Battery Securement
Many crew and dockworkers lacked training in disconnecting and securing vehicle batteries during loading. - Regulatory Loopholes for Used Vehicles
Certain exemptions for transporting damaged or flammable-liquid-powered vehicles created unsafe practices. - Fire Detection Deactivation During Loading
Deactivating detection systems to prevent false alarms during cargo operations created dangerous blind spots. - Emergency Communication Failures
Delays in distress reporting hindered timely response and coordination with shore-based firefighting teams.
NTSB Recommendations
To prevent similar maritime tragedies, the NTSB issued several recommendations to both regulatory bodies and commercial operators:
1. To the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
Remove exemptions for used or damaged flammable-liquid vehicles transported by Ro-Ro carriers under Title 49 CFR 176.905(i).
2. To the U.S. Coast Guard
Propose to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that it revoke Special Provision 961 of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code for transporting used and damaged vehicles.
3. To the National Maritime Safety Association (NMSA)
Educate industry stakeholders about the Höegh Xiamen fire and promote battery securement and cargo supervision best practices.
4. To Grimaldi Deep Sea
Develop mandatory training programs for all staff responsible for vehicle preparation and battery handling, emphasizing the dangers of electrical arcing.
5. To Höegh Technical Management
- Revise the Vehicle Lashing Inspection Procedure to include mandatory confirmation of battery disconnection before departure.
- Ensure all crew are trained in the new safety verification process.
- Implement better systems for verifying that fire detection systems are active post-loading.
A Similar Case: Felicity Ace Fire Incident
In February 2022, a similar tragedy unfolded when the Felicity Ace, another vehicle carrier, caught fire in the North Atlantic. The ship was carrying 3,965 vehicles, including electric cars with lithium-ion batteries.
The fire burned uncontrollably, with lithium-ion batteries sustaining combustion, making extinguishing efforts nearly impossible. The vessel was abandoned, and though all 22 crew were rescued, the ship and its cargo—worth over $400 million—were lost.
Both cases highlighted the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires at sea, emphasizing the need for advanced fire suppression systems and specialized crew training for handling EV cargo.
Also Read: Top 17 Things Every Junior Engineer Should Learn When Joining a Ship
Lessons for Maritime Professionals
The Höegh Xiamen case serves as a crucial educational tool for seafarers, port authorities, and shipping companies. Here are the key takeaways:
1. Strict Compliance During Cargo Loading
Every used or electric vehicle must undergo battery disconnection and inspection. Supervisors must verify and document compliance before departure.
2. Never Disable Fire Detection Systems
Deactivate fire alarms only if absolutely necessary and ensure immediate reactivation after cargo operations. Continuous monitoring can prevent catastrophic losses.
3. Rapid Response Saves Ships
Crew must be trained to make decisive firefighting actions—including timely CO₂ system activation—without hesitation or bureaucratic delays.
4. Maintain Updated Emergency Protocols
Masters and officers should always keep emergency contact lists current and accessible. Coordination with port and coastal rescue services must be instantaneous.
5. Prepare for EV-Related Hazards
With electric vehicles becoming common cargo, training for lithium-ion battery fires must become standard. Such fires require specialized extinguishing methods and early isolation.
Broader Implications for Maritime Safety
The Höegh Xiamen and Felicity Ace incidents reveal systemic weaknesses in global Ro-Ro vessel operations. They highlight the need for:
- Global regulatory reform to standardize EV transport safety.
- Advanced fire detection technologies tailored for electric vehicles.
- Enhanced cooperation between ship operators, ports, and emergency responders.
- Stronger crew drills focused on high-risk cargo fires.
These steps can prevent future multi-million-dollar losses and save lives at sea.
Conclusion
The Höegh Xiamen fire case study underscores how a single missed safety step can lead to massive destruction. The NTSB findings are clear — inadequate oversight, poor training, and procedural lapses are often more dangerous than any external threat.
For maritime students and professionals, this incident reinforces a timeless truth: safety isn’t a checklist—it’s a mindset. Each connection, inspection, and decision onboard plays a part in preventing disaster. By learning from such tragedies, the maritime community can build safer ships, better systems, and stronger vigilance at sea.
