In recent years, fires aboard vehicle carriers, particularly those transporting electric vehicles (EVs), have made headlines, raising serious concerns for the maritime industry.

While lithium-ion batteries are often named as culprits, emerging evidence shows fires are just as likely to stem from conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, as well as cargo mismanagement.

As the complexity of transported vehicles increases, so too does the fire risk, demanding a unified industry approach to enhance onboard fire safety.

Recognizing this urgency, the Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum (VCSF), a voluntary group of vessel operators, insurers, and other industry experts, has published a set of “Fire Response – High Level Guidelines” to help vessel operators respond more effectively to onboard fire incidents.

A structured, phased approach

Central to the guidelines is a clear and structured fire response framework, broken down into key operational phases: detection, assessment, containment, and suppression. This phased model empowers crews to act methodically under pressure, helping to manage chaos and to minimize escalation during fire events.

The framework supports rapid assessment and strategic decision-making, ensuring that any response action is not just immediate, but appropriate to the specific type and scale of fire. For example, the use of boundary cooling during the containment phase can be vital in stopping the fire from spreading to adjacent decks or cargo bays, while fixed firefighting systems play a key role in suppression once flames take hold.

Emphasis on early detection and risk zones

One of the most important themes of the guidelines is early detection. Fires are significantly easier to contain and extinguish when identified early. The VCSF urges shipowners and operators to invest in advanced fire detection technologies and increase physical patrols in high-risk areas - especially vehicle decks - during critical loading and early voyage stages.

These risk zones, where EVs or used vehicles are densely packed, present unique fire behavior due to the materials involved and their arrangement. Enhanced vigilance and detection systems in these zones can make the difference between a contained incident and a catastrophic event.

Training, simulation, and confidence under pressure

No firefighting system is effective without a well-trained crew to deploy it. The VCSF guidelines stress the importance of regular scenario-based drills that simulate real-world fire conditions. These exercises should involve all key crew members and test decision-making as well as practical response.

Rather than ticking a compliance box, training must be frequent, realistic, and tailored to the unique layout and equipment of each vessel. Crew confidence built through training directly impacts the outcome of a real fire event.

Integration with existing systems and shore-based support

The guidelines also encourage operators to integrate fire response protocols with existing onboard systems such as drencher systems, CO₂ suppression, and smoke extraction units. Ensuring these systems are well-maintained and correctly deployed is crucial.

Moreover, shipboard response should be connected to external support networks. Establishing clear communication protocols with shoreside technical teams, salvage partners, and emergency response services is essential for rapid escalation and outside intervention when needed.

Perhaps most important is the VCSF’s emphasis on continuous improvement. Post-incident reviews are strongly recommended, providing opportunities to update procedures, refresh training, and implement lessons learned. In this way, every event - whether a near-miss or a major fire - can contribute to safer voyages across the entire industry.

From awareness to action

Most importantly, the guidelines recognize and emphasize that there are many variables associated with the unique design, fire detection and firefighting capabilities and operations for every vessel. As the VCSF notes, this is not a prescriptive rulebook.Instead, it offers a practical and actionable fire response structure for the global vehicle carrier sector. What’s needed now is for more operators to adopt and adapt these guidelines, share their learnings, and contribute to a more robust body of knowledge.

Ultimately, this is a shared challenge. It is not just about any one shipowner or technology - it’s about building industry-wide resilience through better preparedness, collaboration, and continual evolution of safety practices.

The American Club will continue to work closely with its member shipowners, operators, and other industry stakeholders to refine and expand fire prevention guidance. Through ongoing engagement, technical support, and the development of proactive loss prevention materials, the Club is committed to helping raise safety standards across the vehicle carrier sector.