Due to fires caused by lithium batteries, the introduction of alternative fuels, and automated systems, industry leaders are calling for updated response protocols for maritime fire risks.

A fire aboard a container ship carrying electric vehicles in the North Atlantic last year, which resulted in one crew member's death and the vessel's evacuation, highlighted a critical issue: modern cargo is creating fire situations that traditional firefighting training was not designed to handle.

Lithium-ion battery fires can burn at higher temperatures and spread more quickly than standard cargo fires. They may reignite even days after they have been put out, releasing toxic gases like hydrogen, and creating additional oxygen that makes fixed firefighting systems useless. Moreover, they require suppression tactics, such as controlled flooding or specialized extinguishing agents, that crews may not be familiar with.

As the maritime sector moves towards reducing carbon emissions, with alternative fuels and electric propulsion, fire safety experts are warning that current training standards, equipment specifications, and emergency response protocols are not keeping up with these new risks.

“We’re putting cargo and fuel systems on vessels that respond very differently in a fire situation compared to what crews trained on ten years ago,” said Dan Smiley, Executive Director of the Washington State Maritime Cooperative.

Evolving Fire Risks

Traditional firefighting on ships has mainly focused on situations like engine room fires, galley fires, and cargo holds with standard materials. Crews are trained to use ABC fire extinguishers, fixed CO2 systems, and conventional boundary cooling methods.

However, today’s vessels come with significantly different challenges.

Hazards from Lithium Batteries: Products such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems can cause thermal runaway, a chemical process that quickly releases heat and gases. The battery cells themselves do not burn; instead, the released gases ignite surrounding materials like plastics and insulation, leading to rapid secondary fires. Response tactics can vary widely; some lithium-ion chemistries can worsen with water, while others may need prolonged cooling with water, leaving crews to determine the battery type under challenging conditions.

Risks from Alternative Fuels: LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen pose fire and explosion threats that differ from traditional marine fuels. Each fuel type requires special detection, suppression, and crew protection measures.

Automated Systems: With unmanned engine rooms and fewer crew members, there are fewer personnel available for firefighting, increasing dependence on fixed systems that may not be adequate for these new types of fires.

Complex Vessel Designs: Ferries, mega container ships, and cruise liners create large, interconnected areas where fires can spread swiftly, often rendering traditional boundary cooling methods ineffective.

The Training Gap

International maritime training standards (STCW) stipulate that crews must complete basic and advanced firefighting courses. However, critics argue that the curriculum does not align with current operational realities.

Some progressive training centers have begun using fire simulators for electric vehicles and alternative fuel scenarios, but these are still more the exception than the rule. Additionally, shore-based fire departments that respond when ships dock often lack the maritime-specific training needed to understand vessel systems and the complexities of fighting fires in confined spaces.

“Shipboard fires can endanger lives and disrupt crucial supply chains, posing a significant risk to the Marine Transportation System. The National Harbor Safety Conference offers a valuable opportunity to engage with first responders and port leaders from across the nation about improving readiness for major shipboard fires,” said Captain Mark McDonnell, of the United States Coast Guard.

Industry and Regulatory Response

Maritime regulatory organizations are beginning to take action. The International Maritime Organization has released interim guidelines for firefighting on ships transporting electric vehicles. Classification societies are working on better fire safety standards for vessels using alternative fuel systems, while port authorities are revising their emergency response plans.

However, the implementation of these changes varies between fleets and regions, and some safety advocates believe that the pace of regulatory reform is lagging behind the rapid adoption of new technologies.

These issues, along with broader concerns about crew training, equipment standards, collaboration between shipboard and shore-based responders, and crisis management protocols, will be discussed at the National Harbor Safety Conference set for March 24-25, 2026, in Seattle.

Hosted by the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee and organized by the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound, this biennial event will bring together Coast Guard officials, maritime training professionals, port operators, vessel owners, and emergency response agencies to confront changing threats to maritime safety.

“Fire safety has always been essential to maritime operations, but we are currently in a time of rapid change,” stated Patrick Gallagher, Executive Director of the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound and Chair of the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee. “The 2026 conference will emphasize how we can maintain high safety standards while accommodating the necessary technological advancements in the industry.”

A Call for Proactive Investment

Experts stress that effective firefighting on ships requires more than just updated equipment. It needs a holistic approach that includes realistic training, regular joint drills with shore-based responders, vessel designs that address new fire risks, and industry-wide sharing of incident information and lessons learned.

The risk of waiting for catastrophic events to spur regulatory changes can be costly in terms of lives and resources. Curtis Cannizzaro, Executive Director of the Maritime Fire & Safety Association, noted, “We can either invest in training and equipment now, or we will face expensive lessons later. The industry has always prioritized safety. We need to ensure that this commitment extends to these new challenges.” Registrations and sponsorships for the National Harbor Safety Conference are open until early 2026. For more details, visit marexps.com/national-hsc-2026.