The announcement of another fire on board a container ship early in January 2020 - the first publicised this year - reinforce the vital importance of increasing rigour around the transport of dangerous goods (and not just by sea).

There are known issues relating to aluminium dross, being an example of waste/recycling streams that are now carried in containers. Not a frequent issue, but another where a 'perfect storm' may expose issues.

Sources suggest that container fires may occur on a weekly basis and statistics indicate there is a major container cargo fire at sea roughly every 60 days. Tackling fires and subsequent investigations are complex activities.