A new report from the World Shipping Council (WSC) reveals that container ship fires happen approximately every 17 days worldwide. This underlines the ongoing risks from misdeclared and undeclared hazardous cargoes. Th...
A new report from the World Shipping Council (WSC) reveals that container ship fires happen approximately every 17 days worldwide. This underlines the ongoing risks from misdeclared and undeclared hazardous cargoes.
The data, published in Allianz Commercial's Safety and Shipping Review 2026, indicates that fires remain one of the biggest safety threats in the shipping industry. Allianz noted over 200 fire incidents involving ships in 2025, marking it as the second-highest annual figure in the past ten years, even though there was a slight drop compared to the previous year.
The report highlights that misdeclared cargo, especially lithium-ion batteries and chemicals, significantly contributes to container ship fires.
“Misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods are a well-known and avoidable threat to seafarers, ships, cargo, and the marine environment. This is not simply a paperwork issue—it’s a critical safety concern,” said Joe Kramek, President and CEO of the World Shipping Council.
“Most shippers act responsibly, but a small number of careless individuals are cutting corners, concealing risks, and endangering everyone in the supply chain. They are also putting diligent shippers who follow the rules at a disadvantage.”
According to Allianz, about 25% of cargo-related incidents stem from misdeclared cargo. Incorrect declarations may lead to improper stowage of containers and can complicate firefighting efforts during an incident.
This issue has intensified as global shipments of lithium-ion batteries have skyrocketed. Allianz reported that the use of these batteries in 2025 was six times higher than five years prior, with expectations that demand will double again by 2030.
While batteries play a crucial role in the energy transition and electric vehicle adoption, damaged or incorrectly packaged batteries have been linked to several significant shipboard fires and cargo losses recently.
Larger vessels have worsened the outcomes of fire incidents. Allianz cautioned that crews on today’s mega-ships can quickly feel overwhelmed by onboard fires, sometimes necessitating abandonment before salvage teams arrive.
The insurer also discovered that fires on large container ships and vehicle carriers increasingly lead to expensive general average claims, where cargo owners and shipowners share the costs of saving the voyage. In certain cases, contributions can reach up to 50% of the cargo's value.
The risks are not limited to container shipping; vehicle carriers are also facing heightened fire risks, with a fire occurring globally every 37 days.
In response, the WSC has ramped up efforts through technology and international regulations.
The group's Cargo Safety Program employs artificial intelligence to screen container bookings and identify potentially misdeclared shipments before loading.
In one instance, a shipment labeled merely as “hand tools” was flagged during screening and was later found to include lithium-ion battery-powered tools that required special handling due to their fire hazard.
The WSC stated that this system has already helped prevent thousands of dangerous shipments from entering the supply chain.
“The industry will do its part, but it cannot tackle this problem alone,” Kramek stated. “There are already international rules designed to safeguard seafarers, ships, cargo, and the global supply chain. Governments and regulators must enforce these regulations.”
The organization has also advocated for tougher fire safety regulations through the International Maritime Organization, including updated standards for vehicle carriers transporting electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, Allianz cautions that this problem is unlikely to resolve itself in the near future.
“As battery use continues to rise, updated safety standards, improvements in vessel design, and stricter regulations will be necessary to address this ongoing challenge,” the insurer noted.
This warning comes as the shipping industry faces an increasing number of safety challenges, including geopolitical conflicts, GPS spoofing, and aging vessels. Nevertheless, fires linked to dangerous cargo remain some of the most serious and potentially catastrophic risks in the industry.