Incident Overview
A container vessel experienced a fire in one of its cargo holds while underway in the open sea. The incident involved cargo that had been incorrectly declared as non-dangerous, later found to be subject to IMDG Code dangerous goods classification, according to the report published by Swedish Club.
Sequence of Events
While at sea, the crew observed smoke coming from a cargo hold vent. The Master raised the general alarm, mustered the crew, and confirmed all personnel were safe.
The fire team shut off ventilation and closed fire dampers for the hold. Attempting entry via an access hatch, they encountered dense smoke and no visibility, prompting them to retreat and secure the hatch.
The Master ordered a CO₂ release into the affected hold and turned the vessel back to the previous port. Smoke reduced, and deck checks revealed no hotspots. The adjacent hold was inspected with no signs of heat or damage. After berthing, the local fire brigade boarded and confirmed the fire was extinguished.
Contributing Factors
Investigation determined that the cargo manifest did not indicate any dangerous goods in the affected hold. The fire originated in a container of charcoal that had been declared as non-dangerous. Laboratory tests later confirmed the material met IMDG Code Class 4.2 criteria (self-heating substances). Inadequate classification and incorrect declaration allowed the cargo to bypass required handling measures.
Actions Taken
- Ventilation shut down and fire dampers closed for the affected hold.
- CO₂ was released into the cargo hold to suppress the fire.
- Vessel returned to port for firefighting support.
- Cargo sampling and laboratory analysis were conducted to determine classification and cause.
Safety Recommendations
- Verify cargo documentation, particularly for commodities with known self-heating risks, such as charcoal.
- Ensure shippers follow IMDG Code requirements for heat treatment and cooling before packing.
- Require a valid UN self-heating test certification before accepting exemptions from dangerous goods classification.
- Implement stricter verification procedures for cargo manifests to detect and address potential misdeclarations.
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Source: Swedish Club
