The
dangers of fire at sea persist and are growing as new cargoes including
lithium-ion batteries, and alternative fuels, begin to become more prevalent.
Survival Technology provider Survitec is highlighting the results of a new
analysis that shows an “alarming
increase” in fire-safety-related deficiencies found during Port State Control
Inspections and subsequent ship detentions while calling for better oversight.
Despite
fire continuing to be a leading cause of major shipping incidents, accounting
for over 20 percent of total losses, and the most expensive cause of marine
insurance claims, Survitec highlights the increase in failed inspections and
detentions. The Paris MoU in 2022
recorded the highest level of fire safety deficiencies in a decade.
Similarly, the Tokyo MoU also reported an increase in detentions, with a
staggering 15,562 deficiencies reported in 2023, often involving fire safety
concerns. Similar concerns have been voiced by both the U.S. Coast Guard and insurer Allianz
which cited a dramatic increase in the number of fires at sea.
“Analysts
report a 17 percent year-on-year rise in shipboard fires, which correlates with
an increasing number of reports and testimonies from our network of certified
service technicians and engineers that document serious faults requiring
immediate corrective measures,” says Metkel Yohannes, Director of Service &
Rental Solutions at Survitec.
Among the issues they point to are
the impact of the economic downturn and the emphasis on cost reduction
post-COVID which they believe have negatively impacted fire safety. Survitec reports that some
shipowners and operators are maintaining and inspecting safety equipment
themselves in an attempt to save costs.
Among
the examples they cite is a fire on a bulk carrier. The vessel had completed a
fire safety inspection and received full certification from a local service
provider. However, shortly after leaving port, a fire broke out in the engine
room. Over half of the cylinders failed
to activate despite the CO2 system having been inspected and approved.
While the fire was eventually extinguished, it caused significant damage to the
vessel, resulting in off-hire and repair costs estimated between $2-3 million. “We’re
finding basic errors and oversights that do not become apparent until either
the ship fails an inspection and is detained – or there is a fire,” says
Yohannes…
Survitec is calling for a review of
current practice and as an industry to determine if more oversight, governance,
and quality control procedures are required