A fire in a reefer unit on a truck is ablaze on the 35,456-gt Stena Scandica (built 2005) while the ferry was on route from Port of Norvik in Sweden to Port of Ventspils in Latvia, Stena Line says.
The fire broke out at 12:29 local time and the crew are working on putting it out with the extinguishing system on board.
No injuries have been reported from the vessel which was carrying 241 passengers and 58 crew.
“All passengers have been cared for and are currently in an allocated area,” the line said.
Swedish rescue authorities have been informed and are on their way to the vessel, Stena added.
The ship is north of the island of Gotland with agency reports suggesting an evacuation has begun with three helicopters and seven vessels dispatched to the scene.
A Swedish Maritime Administration spokesperson told AFP though that the fire on the car deck was under control.
“Our focus is now to take care of the situation and to support passengers and crew,” it said.
