A major engine room fire broke out aboard the Bahamas-flagged car carrier Thames Highway shortly after departure from Emden, Germany, leaving the vessel disabled off the North Sea coast near Borkum and prompting a large emergency response to extinguish the blaze and secure the ship.
The 149-metre PCTC, operated by K Line European Sea Highway Services and built in 2005, was en route to Grimsby, United Kingdom with approximately 1,294 vehicles on board, including about 477 electric cars, when the fire was reported late on 26 January 2026.
The fire ignited in the engine room at around 2300 local time shortly after sailing from the Port of Emden, causing an immediate power blackout and damage to the vessel’s main engines, leaving the ship unable to manoeuvre.
Thames Highway’s 18 crew members, along with an embarked pilot, reacted swiftly by sealing the engine room to cut off oxygen and contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to other compartments. Officials confirmed no injuries among crew and no pollution release into the sea during the incident.
Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies coordinated the emergency operations, deploying 63 responders, the sea rescue cruiser Hamburg, and multiple support vessels. Two helicopters airlifted firefighters onto the stricken vessel in rough sea conditions with two-metre waves and winds around force four.
By late Tuesday morning, authorities reported the fire fully extinguished, though the Thames Highway remained disabled due to engine damage. Fire crews remained aboard for several hours for monitoring before being lifted off by helicopter once conditions stabilised.
After the blaze was brought under control, two tugs, including began towing the vessel back toward the port of Emden on 27 January. The vessel is expected to be guided through the harbour locks and secured at an emergency berth for inspection by local authorities.
The cargo was reported largely unaffected by the fire.
