According to members attending a Lloyd’s List hosted conference in London, serious container ship fires have risen from every 60 days to every 30 days during recent times.

A serious fire is considered one that needs external assistance and does not include those that are controlled by the ships’ crew themselves.

With these ‘non-serious’ fires included, it was noted that a container ship fire is effectively now happening every week and the main cause for this issue is thought to be the misdeclaration of dangerous goods, whether intentional or not.

Some shippers misdeclare dangerous goods to avoid extra freight surcharges, or to avoid having to comply with international rules on their carriage, even though they risk serious repercussions for their company and even their own personal liberty.

The TT Club, who insure around 80% of the world’s containers, are now seeking the collaboration of all stakeholders, including the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), to help clamp down on misdeclared cargo using technology such as infrared scanners at the load port.

Evolution Forwarding specialise in the packing, documentation, compliance and movement of dangerous goods internationally, our expertise and willingness to get the job done has positioned us second to none in this important area.

For further information please email info@evolutionforwarding.com or call 0800 4346244.