AI Battles Cargo Ship Fires

The shipping industry is increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to combat the rising incidence of cargo fires, which have reached a decade-high. Undeclared dangerous goods are a major cause, accounting for over a quarter of cargo-related incidents. Larger ships exacerbate the problem, making fires harder to extinguish.

The World Shipping Council (WSC) has launched a Cargo Safety Program that uses AI-powered cargo screening to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods. This system scans millions of bookings in real-time, employing keyword searches, trade pattern recognition, and AI algorithms to identify potential risks. Suspicious shipments undergo physical inspections. Carriers representing over 70% of global TEU capacity have joined the program.

Challenges remain, including fires involving electric vehicles and their lithium-ion batteries, which are difficult to extinguish and pose risks of toxic fumes and reignition. The marine insurance sector is also exploring AI to improve risk assessment and claims handling.