In 2025, Gard has recorded a significant increase in container fires on board container vessels, with fatalities and serious injuries reaching double-digit figures, according to its claims database. This trend highlights a growing risk that goes well beyond individual incidents, raising concerns across the global shipping industry.
The issue is not limited to vessel damage alone. Container fires today generate severe human, environmental, and economic consequences, often unfolding over prolonged periods and involving multiple stakeholders.
Key Consequences
- Human safety
Fires on container vessels are extremely difficult to contain, exposing crews to critical and prolonged danger. In several cases, firefighting efforts have lasted days or even weeks, significantly increasing fatigue and risk to life. - Environmental impact
Extended fires release toxic fumes, pollutants, and contaminated firefighting water into the marine environment. The longer the fire persists, the greater the ecological footprint — often requiring complex and costly clean-up operations. - Economic cost
The financial impact is substantial. Salvage operations, ports of refuge, cargo handling, waste management, vessel repairs, and business interruption can quickly escalate total losses into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Role of Lithium-Ion Batteries
One recurring factor identified by Gard is the presence of lithium-ion batteries. These cargoes can act both as an ignition source and as a fire accelerator. Once involved, they are capable of sustaining intense heat, producing flammable gases, and triggering re-ignition — making conventional firefighting methods far less effective.
Cargo Misdeclaration: A Persistent Risk
A critical issue highlighted in the analysis is cargo misdeclaration. Lithium-ion batteries and other dangerous goods are frequently undeclared, misclassified, or improperly packaged. This prevents crews and operators from applying the correct stowage, monitoring, and emergency response measures, significantly increasing exposure to catastrophic events.
Mitigation and the Path Forward
To address these risks, the industry is increasingly exploring:
- Enhanced cargo screening and verification, including digital and AI-driven tools to detect anomalies in cargo declarations;
- Improved fire detection and suppression systems, tailored to modern cargo risks;
- Stronger collaboration across the supply chain, involving shippers, carriers, ports, and insurers.
Conclusion
Container fire safety remains an urgent and evolving challenge. Protecting lives at sea, safeguarding the environment, and preserving asset value requires a systemic approach to cargo transparency, risk management, and technological innovation.
This is not only a safety issue — it is a strategic priority for the resilience of global trade.
🔗 Source – Read the full article
The original article can be read here:
👉 https://gard.no/insights/container-fires-continue-with-increasingly-severe-consequences/
This situation underscores two strategic imperatives:
- Enhanced cargo declaration and screening to reduce misdeclared DG risks;
- Deployment of advanced fire detection and suppression systems across fleets.
How is your organization evolving fire risk screening and mitigation for hazardous cargoes at sea?
#MaritimeSafety #ContainerShipping #RiskMitigation #InsuranceInsights
