Despite some advancements, fire risks on container ships continue to be a significant concern for the marine industry. Hendrike Kühl, Policy Director of the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI), highlights progress with fixed water monitors, which are likely to become mandatory, but stresses the need for innovations like heat detection systems for individual containers.

Alarming statistics from Allianz’s 2024 Safety and Shipping Review show over 200 fire incidents on large vessels in 2023 alone. Contributing factors include the misdeclaration of dangerous cargo and the increasing size of container ships, which now carry 1,500% more containers than in the late 1960s. Emerging solutions, such as smart containers and technologies like e-noses, hold promise for improving safety. However, further measures are essential to address the human, environmental, and financial risks posed by container fires.

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