Norway’s Gard has invited key industry stakeholders to a conference on eliminating cargo-related containership fires, which are running at a rate of one a month this year.
The leading marine insurer has invited stakeholders from across the industry, including containership operators, classification societies, flag states, salvors, fire experts and insurance companies, to finally try to get to grips with the problem.
Gard chief claims officer Christen Guddal said: “The increased size and cargo capacity of containerships have a real impact on the potential severity of such incidents.
“Such fires first and foremost represent a serious risk to the crew onboard. They are also an environmental concern. For insurers, they cause large losses across liability, property and loss of income covers, while for ship operators and charterers, they may also cause severe business disruption and reputational damage.”
Misdeclaration problem
Misdeclaration of hazardous cargoes has been identified as the largest direct cause of containership fires. However, the conference will also look at ways to prevent fires and improve firefighting methods.
Gard is involved with containership operators both as a protection and indemnity and hull and machinery insurer.
The world’s largest containership operator, Maersk, is among its clients.
The two day conference will take place at Gard’s headquarters in Arendal, Norway, over two days starting from 17 October.
