Keeping container fires at bay

Container ship fires are becoming more complex and, worryingly, more prolific. According to the German insurer Allianz’s Safety and Shipping Review 2022, more than 70 major fires have been reported on container ships since 2017, with 40 in 2019 alone. Misdeclaration of hazardous cargo has been cited as the commonest cause.  

As container ships’ container stacks continue to get higher and higher, the risk of bigger, more devastating fires increases proportionately. The risk is not limited to the vessel, its cargo and its crew. If a container fire spreads, it can lead to a total loss, in addition to potential environmental and salvage costs. 

It is therefore in the best interests of all parties to catch container fires early. From vessel owners and operators to insurers and ship agents, the shipping industry is finding effective ways to detect, suppress and tackle fires on board container vessels that can be implemented internationally. 

The Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology is leading a Europe-wide study that is examining the safety of container vessels and their potential exposure to onboard fires. Known as CARGOSAFE, it is working with major container shipping lines, flag states and equipment suppliers to cover all areas of onboard fire safety: prevention, detection, containment and firefighting. The DBI will then recommend potential solutions to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), hoping its recommendations can be implemented as part of onboard safety strategies.   

Onboard detection 

But identifying the source of a container ship fire is the nautical equivalent of a needle in a haystack. A spontaneous outbreak could be sparked at the top of a stack or buried deep in the cargo hold.    

Detection times are therefore critical when it comes to preventing the initial spread of a cargo fire.  

“The sooner you can detect and start fighting an onboard fire is what can make the difference on how to handle it,” says CARGOSAFE project manager Anders Kristensen, on the International Union of Marine Insurer podcast. “Delayed detection will hamper any firefighting effort and will allow for the fire to spread out of control.” 

While container ships have fire, smoke and heat detectors installed as standard practice, carriers are also turning to smart container technology, not only to bolster the overall supply chain but to help identify fires.  

There is also the hope the technology can advance to a point where misdeclared cargo can be identified from the outset, enabling seafarers, ports or ship agents to spot and remove potentially hazardous material before a vessel leaves berth. 

Containing fires 

With the best effort in the world, however, fires on board container vessels can still happen. At that point, the key focus is on the best ways to tackle and suppress the blaze which can be compounded when hazardous chemicals are part of a container stack. 

Onboard firefighting capabilities are the first point of call. Container vessels must have adequate equipment on board, such as fire dampers, hydrants and pumps, that can extinguish a fire before it gets out of control.  

However, seafarers are not professional firefighters and lack the capabilities of a land-based response team. If a container vessel fire spreads too quickly, the risk then turns to the lives of those on board instead of the cargo.