Car transport ship's Japanese owner to investigate fire

TOKYO -- Japanese ship leasing company Shoei Kisen Kaisha, owner of the car carrier Fremantle Highway that caught fire off the Dutch coast last week, said on Friday it will investigate the cause of the incident in cooperation with relevant parties. "K" Line has said there were 3,783 vehicles on board the ship, including 498 battery electric vehicles. Among the ship’s cargo are several hundred BMW cars, as well as about 300 Mercedes-Benz vehicles, representatives for the companies have said. The Dutch company provides dredging, towage and salvage services. "Having said that, I think all experts with any knowledge on this topic agree that the transportation of electric vehicles introduces additional risks," he said.