Cargo fires, meet AI: After the number of deadly fires aboard ships reached a decade-high peak in 2024 — driven by the growing number of flammable cargoes — the shipping industry could reportedly resort to artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce the toll, Financial Times reports. The World Shipping Council (WSC) attributed this to shipping agents failing — whether deliberately or not — to declare hazardous items, which incur higher fees.

Could AI be the solution? WSC unveiled a new AI-powered tool during LondonInternational Shipping Week, with shippers — representing 70% of global freight capacity — opting in. The technology is expected to scan up to mns of bookings in real time and identify risks by leveraging pattern recognition and algorithms.

How big is the problem? Allianz’ latest Safety and Shipping Review report (pdf) found that 30% of vessel fires in 2025 involved container, cargo, or ro-ro vessels. “Fire remains a major risk for container ships and car carriers. While regulatory changes are in progress… [W]e cannot say this is a risk that is under control. This is still very much a live issue and one that will only get worse [with electrification] if action is not taken to address mis-declared cargo and fire detection and fighting capabilities on these vessels,” Allianz Commercial’s Global Head of Marine Risk Consulting Rahul Khanna said.

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