A Grimaldi Group car carrier has suffered a fire off Spain.

The blaze broke out on Wednesday morning on the 3,320-lane-metre Grande Europa (built 1998) off Majorca.

Spanish authorities said the ship was loaded with 1,843 vehicles, according to AFP.

Fifteen of the 25 crew were taken off the vessel by helicopter.

The rest stayed to tackle the fire, which was brought under control and "virtually extinguished" by midday, the emergency services said.

No injuries were reported.