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Ship with smouldering cargo in Rotterdam
On Feb 5, 2026, the Rijnmond Environmental Service (DCMR) was warning of possible odor nuisance in the region after the 'Baltic Star', en route from Humber, had docked in the Botlek (Rotterdam), at the HES Bulk Terminal Transshipment Company with a cargo of wood pellets that habe started smouldering. To stop the smouldering, part of the cargo must be unloaded. This may release a smoke or burning smell. Residents of Rozenburg, Zwartewaal, and Brielle may be particularly affected by the odor with an easterly wind. Unloading was scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. but t had to be postponed to 1:00 p.m. The entire operation was estimated to take 24 hours and was exected be completed by the early afternoon of Feb 6. HBTM has developed an action plan for unloading the affected portion of the cargo in a safe and manageable manner. A DCMR supervisor was present during the work. The fire department was also on site if fire extinguishing equipment would be needed. After the unloading, the ship was to continue its route. As of Feb 9, it remained stationary in the Waalhaven 2 Rotterdam in pos. 51° 54' N 004° 27' E.
Discharge of smouldering cargo has started
After the 'Baltic Star' was moored at the HES Bulk Terminal Maasdelta in the Waalhaven of Rotterdam on the early morning of Feb 5, the portion of the wood pellet cargo that had scalded, caused a burning smell in Rozenburg, Zwartewaal, and Brielle. The fire department was on standby in case a fire broke out in the cargo. The fire fighters and an Environmental Agency supervisor closely monitored the situation during the unloading of the vessel. The scalding was caused by heat generated by bacteria or chemical reactions in the cargo. The smouldering pellets had to be unloaded safely to prevent an open fire from breaking out on the ship. This required opening the hold, which could have cause da brief flare-up of smouldering, a possible fire, and odor nuisance. Unloading the affected cargo began with a slight delay and lasted all day.
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