Survitec has highlighted the dangers of inadequate maintenance, testing, and inspection of ship fire safety systems in a new white paper, which points to an alarming increase in fire-safety-related deficiencies found during Port State Control Inspections and subsequent ship detentions.
In a white paper released at the Posidonia tradeshow, Survitec highlighted that fire continues to be a leading cause of major shipping incidents, accounting for over 20% of total losses, and the most expensive cause of marine insurance claims. While the highest level of fire safety deficiencies in a decade was recorded by the Paris MoU in 2022, and the Tokyo MoU also reported an increase in detentions, with a staggering 15,562 deficiencies reported in 2023.
“Analysts report a 17% year-on-year rise in shipboard fires, which correlates with an increasing number of reports and testimonies from our network of certified service technicians and engineers that document serious faults requiring immediate corrective measures,” said Metkel Yohannes, Director of Service & Rental Solutions, Survitec.
Survitec has found that the economic downturn and the emphasis on cost reduction post-COVID have negatively impacted fire safety, with some shipowners and operators maintaining and inspecting safety equipment themselves in an attempt to save costs. The past few years have also seen a worrying trend of fire safety-related deficiencies on board ships, with rising numbers of ship detentions following Port State Control Inspections. As a result, fire safety was made the focus of a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) that ran between September and November 2023. The results are alarming.
According to preliminary results published in January 2024, the Baltic Sea MOU carried out 1,237 inspections on vessels in its jurisdiction. Inspectors noted basic failings in routine fire safety practices, such as the maintenance of fire doors (36%) and the periodic testing of fire detection and alarm systems (22%).
Other MOUs cite similar findings. In a review of fire-related deficiencies found between July 2022 and July 2023, Paris MOU reported that most detainable deficiencies related to:
– Fire doors
– Fixed fire extinguishing installations
– Fire-dampers
– Ventilation
– Fire detection and alarm systems
– Fire pumps and pipework
– Remote means of control (valves, pumps, ventilation, etc).
The campaign was conducted jointly with the Tokyo MOU. Preliminary results published by the Tokyo MOU in March 2024 revealed a total of 8,273 inspections were carried out during the period, of which 7,190 (86.91%) were directly related to the CIC. 2,860 deficiencies were found on 1,287 ships, representing 17.90% of its CIC inspections.
The importance of attention to detail in maritime safety and oversight risks in firefighting systems
Metkel Yohannes highlighted a critical issue in maritime safety: the discovery of fundamental errors and oversights that often remained unnoticed until a ship underwent inspection failure or experienced a fire incident. One such incident underscored the gravity of these oversights.
When Survitec responded to a vessel following an engine room fire, the crew suspected a malfunction in their high expansion foam firefighting system. Upon investigation, they identified a blockage caused by a simple yet significant oversight: one of the protective caps remained on the inlet after the installation of a new foam pump. This oversight, while seemingly minor, could have had catastrophic consequences, emphasizing the need for meticulous attention to detail in maritime safety protocols.
Survitec also finds wrong parts being used or poorly fitted, or low-quality parts that deteriorate rapidly and fail. For example, in CO2 firefighting systems, hydraulic hoses are often mistaken for high-pressure hoses but they are not designed for CO2 applications and may burst under pressure.
Certification issues lead to costly damage
The white paper also highlights an incident involving a bulk carrier. The vessel had completed a fire safety inspection and received full certification from a local service provider. Shortly after leaving port, a fire broke out in the engine room. Over half of the cylinders failed to activate despite the CO2 system having been inspected and approved. While the fire was eventually extinguished, it caused significant damage to the vessel, resulting in off-hire and repair costs estimated between $2-3 million USD.
Concerns about service quality and inspection standards
Metkel Yohannes explained that there was evidence of a slip in standards regarding basic safety practices, along with a wide disparity in service quality between service providers. He mentioned that approval stamps were being applied to fire systems and appliances that would or should not pass inspection. He noted that some issues, such as rust on a valve or fire extinguisher, were self-evident, but others were less obvious and could have catastrophic consequences.
New challenges in fire safety
He also pointed out that the development and introduction of alternative fuels, including the use and transportation of lithium-ion batteries, brought new fire risks and safety challenges that couldn’t be ignored. Metkel Yohannes emphasized that fire systems and equipment must be maintained and tested as mandated by SOLAS, the IMO, and the FSS code.
The importance of trustworthy service partners
Metkel Yohannes further stated that shipowners and operators need accredited service partners they could trust and must have confidence in the system of approvals. He expressed concern about substandard inspections taking place, indicating that although service providers may boast many approvals, they might not be suitably equipped or resourced to perform all the required tests.
“As an industry, current practice should be reviewed to determine if more oversight and governance, and more quality control procedures are required to protect crew and vessel safety,” concluded Metkel Yohannes.
Download the Ship fire safety systems whitepaper here: Survitec Fire Safety Service White Paper
