Container Fires
Risk of serious injury, cargo and total loss due to mis-declaration of containers and inappropriate stowage.
containers shipped annually contain declared dangerous goods 1
of containers include misdeclared cargo 2
1 https://www.marinelink.com/news/top-maritime-trends-tackling-scourge-483775
2 A 2020 study by the New York based National Cargo Bureau (NCB)
Guiding Principles
- Demand the proper identification, classification, packaging, labelling, documentation and placarding of the cargoes/commodities transported by container units. Many cases of Container Fire are due to undeclared HAZMAT, or declared with different properties for their actual ones.
- Implement effective cargo screening processes at booking and/or prior to loading.
- Ensure the “packaging” and “packing” of the HAZMAT commodities, which are also controlled by the IMDG Code and US CFR49.
- Specify the correct requirements of the container. The specifications of Container Units are well regulated, but deviations do exist as shippers in many cases use “technicalities” to exempt their cargoes from being shipped in fit-for-purpose units.
- Obtain the appropriate documentation for each Container Unit that contains HAZMAT and be able to verify the apparent validity of the documents.
- Determine the correctness of the stowage position of each HAZMAT Unit to be in compliance with IMDG Code and/or US CFR49, not only in paper/software but also physically on board (above or below deck).
- Empower Masters to reject IMDG Container if non-compliant with the provisions of the IMDG Code and/or US CFR49 – i.e. missing or wrong documentation, heavily damaged and/or leaking Container unit,inability to load in certain position due to IMDG restrictions and availability of slots.
- Conduct daily checks on the IMDG Containers with particular interest to observe signs such as odour, vapors, leakages, as well as possible increase of the unit’s temperature or smoke coming out. Embrace technology to include proactive use of thermal cameras.
- Adopt best practices for fire-fighting equipment on existing vessels – water mist lances – which is mandatory for new build vessels.
Achieving Cargo Integrity - Run realistic drills on board, utilizing challenging and realistic scenarios. In addition to compulsory STCW HAZMAT training, supplement with USCG-approved HAZMAT Training Course.
UK P&I Club Carefully to Carry General Container Operations
Resources
Guidelines for the management of distraction causing devices on board ships
The document provides voluntary guidelines for shipping companies to manage the risks associated with distractions from electronic devices on ships. It outlines a framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls to minimize distractions, particularly for key personnel in
Lifesaving appliance pocket checklist (Apple)
This is Lloyd's Register's Port State Control app, designed to streamline ship inspections and compliance processes. Created by the world's oldest marine classification society (established over 260 years ago), the app helps ship owners and crew manage port state inspections more efficiently.
Lifesaving appliance pocket checklist (Google Play store)
This is Lloyd's Register's Port State Control app, designed to streamline ship inspections and compliance processes. Created by the world's oldest marine classification society (established over 260 years ago), the app helps ship owners and crew manage port state inspections more efficiently by ensu
UK P&I Club Carefully to Carry General Container Operations
The document is a section from a maritime shipping manual focused on container operations and waste shipments. It provides detailed guidance on how to properly load, stack, and secure cargo in shipping containers, with specific emphasis on waste transport regulations.
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