IUMI warning on containership fires -
20 September 2016
The marine insurers’ industry body said industry cooperation is needed to tackle the risk of containership fires, after several recent blazes.
Fires aboard container vessels are the subject of a note from the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI).
Two recent fires – aboard the NNCI Arauco in September and the Maersk Karachi in May – have drawn IUMI’s attention to the risk.
More industry cooperation is needed to tackle the challenges involved with managing these incidents at sea, the industry body said.
"At sea, below-deck fires cannot be fought with water and so CO₂ is used instead to displace the oxygen and extinguish the fire. However, if the fire is burning within a container, the box will protect it from the CO₂ and so this method of fire-fighting is rarely successful," said Uwe-Peter Schieder, vice chairman of IUMI’s loss prevention committee.
"Currently there are no other methods of fighting a containership fire below deck. Even on deck, the crew only have access to hoses and nozzles. They do not have sufficient monitors or foam and so cannot cool the vessel’s structure," Schieder added.
IUMI flagged concerns that seafarers are being asked to tackle onboard fires with inadequate equipment.
The association highlighted the unfortunate incident concerning MSC Flaminia when three sailors lost their lives.
The vessel burned for almost six weeks, with 70% of the cargo destroyed and the ship declared a constructive total loss.
Referencing the maritime industry’s Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) regulations, IUMI called for further dialogue involving the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and shipping industry stakeholders to improve firefighting capabilities for containerships.
On September 1 2016 a fire broke out on NNCI Arauco while the container vessel was alongside in Hamburg during welding operations, leading to 300 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze.
The hold was sealed and flooded with CO₂, but this was unsuccessful, IUMI noted.
Water was then used for flooding the hatch and stopped before stability problems occur. Finally, foam was used to bring the fire under control, added IUMI.
On May 13 2016 a fire on the Maersk Karachi at Bremerhaven port – also caused by welding operations – needed more than 100 firefighters to control the blaze, said IUMI, with water monitors needed to flood the hold to extinguish the fire. "All stakeholders should work together to identify sustainable solutions to protect lives and property at sea," said IUMI.
========= IUMI Calls for More Action to Tackle Containership Fires
Image Courtesy: Polizei Hamburg
Two recent onboard containership fires have fueled concerns from International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) over the challenges involved with managing these incidents at sea as seafarers are being asked to tackle onboard fires with inadequate equipment.
The two recent containership fires which raised concerns involve the 2015-built NNCI Arauco which ignited during welding operations on September 1 while the ship was in Hamburg. Some 300 firefighters were deployed, the vessel’s hold was sealed and flooded with CO₂, however, the attempt to extinguish the fire failed. Water was then used for flooding the hatch and stopped before stability problems occur. Finally, foam was used to bring the fire under control.
The other fire incident occurred on May 13, 2016, when Maersk Karachi caught fire due to welding operations. More than 100 firefighters were deployed to control the blaze and water monitors were needed to flood the hold to extinguish the fire.
“At sea, below-deck fires cannot be fought with water and so CO₂ is used instead to displace the oxygen and extinguish the fire. However, if the fire is burning within a container, the box will protect it from the CO₂ and so this method of fire-fighting is rarely successful,” Uwe-Peter Schieder, Vice Chairman of IUMI’s Loss Prevention Committee said.
He added that there are currently no other methods of fighting a containership fire below deck.
“Even on deck, the crew only have access to hoses and nozzles. They do not have sufficient monitors or foam and so cannot cool the vessel’s structure,” Schieder said.
Apart from the SOLAS regulations, IUMI is calling for further dialogue involving IMO, class, shipbuilders and shipping companies to further improve firefighting capabilities onboard containerships.
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IUMI calls for action on fires
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"However, if the fire is burning within a container, the box will protect it from the CO₂ and so this method of fire-fighting is rarely successful. Currently there are no other methods of fighting a containership fire below deck. Even on deck, the crew only have access to hoses and nozzles. They do not have sufficient monitors or foam and so cannot cool the vessel’s structure.”
IUMI is concerned that seafarers are being asked to tackle onboard fires with inadequate equipment. The Association highlights the unfortunate incident concerning MSC FLAMINIA where, sadly, three seafarers lost their lives. The vessel burned for almost six weeks, 70% of the cargo was destroyed and the ship was declared a Constructive Total Loss (CTL).
IUMI is well aware of the SOLAS regulations, but is calling for further dialogue involving IMO, class, shipbuilders and shipping companies to further improve firefighting capabilities onboard containerships. All stakeholders should work together to identify sustainable solutions to protect lives and property at sea.
The two recent containership fires referenced by IUMI are:
- NNCI ARAUCO - 1 September 2016: A fire broke out whilst alongside in Hamburg during welding operations and 300 firefighters were deployed. The hold was sealed and flooded with CO₂, but this was unsuccessful. Water was then used for flooding the hatch and stopped before stability problems occur. Finally, foam was used to bring the fire under control.
- MAERSK KARACHI - 13 May 2016: A fire caused by welding operations needed more than 100 firefighters to control the blaze. Water monitors were needed to flood the hold to extinguish the fire.