Car carrier Grande Roma was left adrift in the English Channel after a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The ship lost propulsion, but no injuries were reported.
The Grande Roma, operated by Grimaldi Euromed, was sailing from Antwerp to Jebel Ali when the fire started in the engine room around 10:00 p.m. local time on October 25. The crew used the ship’s CO₂ system and cooled the bulkheads to contain the blaze. The cargo hold remained undamaged.
After losing power, the captain requested towing assistance. The tug reached the scene early on October 26 and towed the vessel to Le Havre, France, where it arrived safely the next day.
Built in 2003, the Italian-flagged Grande Roma measures 196 meters in length and has a gross tonnage of 44,431. The latest safety inspection in Antwerp, Belgium, revealed several fire safety issues. Inspectors identified six deficiencies. Two of these involved jacketed high-pressure lines and the oil leakage alarm. Additionally, problems were found with the control systems in the machinery spaces. Other deficiencies included issues with boiler alarms and bilge pumping arrangements.
This marks the second fire involving a Grimaldi vessel in the English Channel in 2025. Earlier this year, the Grande Brasile was damaged by a similar incident.
