Overview
Founded in 1964, Condor Ferries has a heritage that stretches back to the years following the Second World War.
Today, Condor Ferries provides year-round, lifeline passenger and freight services connecting Jersey, Guernsey, Portsmouth and Poole in the UK, with the French ports of St Malo and Cherbourg. Each year, the operator carries just under one million passengers, approximately 200,000 passenger vehicles, and around 65,000 freight trailers across its mixed fleet of high-speed catamarans and conventional roll-on/roll-off vessels.
With electric and hybrid vehicles now forming an increasing proportion of traffic on board, Condor Ferries needed to strengthen its fire-safety provisions through the introduction of dedicated EV fire-containment equipment.
The challenge: Managing EV fire risk at sea
Fires of any kind present a serious risk on board ships and ferries, whether in port or at sea. The growth in electric vehicle adoption introduces additional fire risk challenges, as EV fires can be particularly intense and difficult to control.
On ferries, vehicle decks are enclosed environments where fire can spread rapidly between closely parked vehicles. In such conditions, effective isolation and containment are critical to prevent escalation. For operators carrying passengers as well as freight, the stakes are even higher: an EV fire has the potential to create panic on board and endanger life, placing both passengers and crew at risk.
For Condor Ferries, achieving the highest possible standards of health and safety – and maintaining calm, controlled operations in the event of an incident – is a fundamental operational priority.
Requirements & Technical Criteria
Condor Ferries required a proven electric vehicle fire blanket solution that could be:
- Safely stored in strategic locations on board
- Easily accessed and rapidly deployed on car decks
- Suitable for roll-on/roll-off ferry operations
- Capable of containing EV fires until professional firefighters can intervene
These requirements reflect the realities of passenger and freight ferry operations, where enclosed vehicle decks, mixed cargo and the safety of passengers and crew demand clear procedures and a high level of operational preparedness.
Why Fire Cloak™
Fire Cloak™ EV Fire Blankets are engineered and manufactured in the UK, with every unit built to rigorous standards suited to demanding operational environments. Several further characteristics underpin their adoption by Condor Ferries as part of its onboard firefighting equipment:
Proven Performance & Rigour
Each Fire Cloak™ blanket is designed to perform reliably in demanding environments, such as maritime settings, where a rapid, controlled response is essential. The construction – from the specialist silica-quartz fabric, to the strength of the stitching – provides a robust containment solution that supports the isolation of an EV and helps limit heat, fire and smoke spread to surrounding vehicles and the vessel environment.
Independent Testing & Certification
Fire Cloak™ has been extensively tested in real-world EV fire demonstrations, and independently certified to multiple international fire and flame-resistance standards, including DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11. These certifications provided Condor Ferries with clear, auditable assurance that the blanket meets recognised performance benchmarks suitable for use onboard passenger and freight vessels.
Ease of Deployment
Supplied in robust storage boxes that can be positioned at fixed points on board, Fire Cloak™ EV Fire Blankets are readily accessible when needed. The blanket can be deployed quickly by two crew members, allowing it to be integrated smoothly into existing onboard procedures on busy vehicle decks.
These strengths made Fire Cloak™ the right choice for Condor Ferries – a practical, dependable EV fire-containment solution for passenger and freight services carrying electric and hybrid vehicles.
Operational Use
Fire Cloak™ EV Fire Blankets are stored in clearly identified, strategic locations on board Condor Ferries’ vessels, ensuring they are immediately accessible on vehicle decks.
In the event of an incident, crew members can deploy the blanket quickly to isolate and contain the vehicle while emergency procedures are initiated, and professional firefighting support is mobilised. Early containment helps suppress flames and smoke, reduces heat transfer and limits the risk of spread to adjacent vehicles or structural elements of the vessel.
Results & Impact
Mitigated EV fire risk
Fire Cloak™ strengthens Condor Ferries’ ability to manage the risks associated with transporting electric and hybrid vehicles.
Enhanced passenger & crew confidence
Passengers and personnel are reassured that dedicated EV fire containment measures are in place as EV volumes continue to grow.
Strengthened safety leadership
By proactively addressing EV fire risk, Condor Ferries demonstrates ongoing commitment to safety excellence across passenger and freight operations.
Looking Ahead
As the number of electric and hybrid vehicles transported by sea continues to grow, Fire Cloak™ remains committed to supporting ferry operators with forward thinking, fit-for-purpose EV fire-containment solutions in some of the most challenging fire-risk environments at sea.
