Overview
Irish Ferries is part of the Ferries Division of Irish Continental Group, and is the leading ferry operator to and from the Republic of Ireland.
The company operates eight ferries on international routes between Ireland, Britain and France, transporting passengers, vehicles — including electric vehicles — and freight units. Across its Irish Sea routes, Irish Ferries operates up to 16 sailings a day using a modern fleet of cruise and fast ferries. On its Ireland–France routes, the award-winning W.B. Yeats provides year-round overnight crossings.
As electric vehicles become an increasingly common part of ferry traffic, Irish Ferries continues to take a proactive approach to onboard safety across its operations.
The Challenge
Transporting electric vehicles presents specific challenges for ferry operators. Vehicles are parked in close proximity on enclosed car decks, often for extended periods, meaning any EV battery fire must be controlled quickly to prevent fire or smoke spreading to adjacent vehicles and impacting wider onboard operations.
For both passenger and freight services, the ability to isolate and contain a suspected EV fire is critical. As electric vehicles become a more common feature of ferry transport, Irish Ferries recognised the need for dedicated EV fire-containment equipment to support a controlled, professional response and maintain high safety standards for passengers and crew.
Requirements & Technical Criteria
Irish Ferries required a proven EV fire-containment solution that could be:
- Stored in strategic locations on board
- Accessed quickly by crew
- Deployed easily within the constraints of a ferry car deck
- Aligned with recognised testing and certification standards
- Easily deployed by their on-board emergency Fire Team
The solution needed to integrate seamlessly with existing onboard firefighting equipment and procedures.
“As electric vehicles become an increasingly common part of our passenger and freight operations, it’s essential that we equip our crews with practical, proven tools to manage emerging risks onboard. Fire Cloak™ provides us with a dedicated EV fire-containment solution that integrates seamlessly with our existing firefighting procedures, allowing for a controlled and professional response on enclosed car decks. Its ease of deployment and independently tested performance give our teams confidence when transporting electric vehicles across our fleet.”
– Director of Fleet Operations, Irish Ferries
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 Irish Ferries as part of its onboard firefighting equipment.
Proven Performance & Rigour
Each Fire Cloak™ blanket is designed to perform reliably in maritime settings where vehicles are parked in close proximity and 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 fire and smoke spread to surrounding vehicles.
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. These certifications provide Irish 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 and supporting a controlled, professional response.
Together, these strengths make Fire Cloak™ a practical and dependable EV fire-containment solution for ferry operations transporting electric vehicles as part of daily services.
Operational Use
Fire Cloak™ EV Fire Blankets now form part of Irish Ferries’ onboard firefighting equipment across its fleet. Positioned on car decks, the blankets provide crews with a purpose-designed tool to support preparedness when transporting electric vehicles.
Their presence enhances existing safety provisions and allows crew members to respond confidently within established onboard procedures.
Results & Impact
By equipping its ferries with Fire Cloak™ EV Fire Blankets, Irish Ferries has strengthened its approach to EV fire safety. The addition of dedicated containment equipment supports crew readiness and reinforces a consistent, professional safety standard across passenger and freight operations, providing reassurance for both personnel and passengers as EV volumes continue to grow.
