Existing firefighting methods and safety rules not ready for growing interest in methanol conversion projects, warns new study Methanol as a low-carbon fuel is an attractive choice for vessel owners and operators as they look to transition to net zero. Orders for methanol-fuelled newbuilds have increased 9% in the last 12 months, 2% more than […]
Ferry companies, which carry both large and varied numbers of vehicles and a multitude of passengers, could be particularly at risk from fires breaking out on board. This is likely to grow as more and more EVs, powered by lithium-ion batteries, are adopted for private and commercial use. The large numbers of passengers carried on […]
Special project on electric vehicle fires leads company to sign distribution agreements for innovations in marine fire safety Fires onboard vessels at sea have become increasingly common in recent times. Many of these are allegedly associated with the carrying of electric vehicles (EVs). The most recent and prominent incident made headlines in July when the […]
By Malcolm Latarche, correspondent Shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) had been a topic of conversation for several months in the run up to MEPC 80 in July with many predicting that the economic climate and lack of suitable alternative fuels could see ambitions watered down. Depending upon your viewpoint that was either what happened, or […]
By Tom Barlow-Brown Emergency services have been fighting a blaze onboard a ro-ro cargo ship off the coast of the Netherlands. The fire has resulted in the death of one crewman and left several others injured. The fire is the fourth major incident since 2021 to occur on a car carrying vessel, and the second […]
Fires onboard ships are a major problem facing the maritime industry. A small blaze can quickly spread out of control and engulf a whole vessel without proper firefighting and detection. For shipping enterprises, a fire has the potential to destroy large quantities of cargo in a short space of time, leading to huge insurance costs. […]
Over the past five or so years, it has become increasingly obvious that the seaborne carriage of electric vehicles (EVs) using lithium-ion batteries can pose a serious risk in the event of an accident. The main hazard is related to the risk of thermal runaway, which can cause fires or explosions if the Li-ion battery […]
Total losses in global commercial shipping hit a record low in 2022, according to the annual safety and shipping review published by insurance provider Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). Worldwide, 38 ships were lost last year, 35.6% fewer than the 59 vessels lost in 2021. This is the lowest level of loss in 12 […]