The World Shipping Council (WSC) have recently launched a new cargo safety project, with the aim of reducing the risk of dangerous goods causing fires on ships.
A large part of this focus will be to renew efforts to tackle the problems of misdeclared shipments, which were identified as one of the most common causes of vessel fires. This includes undeclared dangerous goods, false or erroneous declarations and paperwork, along with goods that have not been properly packed.
The new safety program will be a digital solution comprising of a common screening tool, using a verified shipper database and approved container inspection companies.
Fires on cargo ships are on the increase, rising by 17% last year, with 64 fires being reported on containerships in the past five years. According to experts, misdeclared dangerous goods are the cause of a serious ship fire every 60 days on average.
The rising demand for electric vehicles using lithium-ion batteries, and their risk of combustion, is one of the leading causes of cargo ship fires and believed to be the cause of two recent blazes on car carriers that resulted in fatalities.
The WSC hope this initiative will improve safety for ship crews and everyone involved in transport and handling these products, as well as the communities around us.
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