A car carrier operated by an Italian shipping company was left adrift in the English Channel after a fire erupted in its engine room over the weekend, triggering a large-scale maritime response and subsequent towing operation toward the French port of Le Havre.

The vessel, which had departed Antwerp bound for Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, reported the incident late Saturday evening while navigating the heavily trafficked Channel. The crew immediately activated the onboard COâ‚‚ fire-suppression system and began boundary cooling to contain the blaze within the engine compartment.

According to maritime authorities, the fire was successfully extinguished without injuries or damage to the vehicle cargo. However, the ship lost propulsion capability, leaving it drifting amid busy shipping lanes. France’s maritime rescue coordination center dispatched the emergency tug Abeille Liberté, which arrived early Sunday to secure the vessel and begin towing operations.

The disabled carrier is currently being towed to Le Havre, where it will undergo inspection and repair. Investigators are expected to examine the cause of the engine-room fire and evaluate potential mechanical or electrical faults.

The shipping company, a major operator in Europe’s roll-on/roll-off sector, has recently pursued a modernization program aimed at replacing older vessels with new, environmentally advanced ships. This latest incident marks the company’s second engine-room fire in the Channel this year, drawing renewed attention to vessel maintenance and operational safety standards.

No pollution or cargo-related hazards were reported, and the situation has been declared under control. The vessel will remain in port pending technical assessments and clearance for onward voyage.