In its July 2025 classification rules update, Lloyd’s Register has unveiled the new Fire (C, Risk) notation, specifically for containerships. It marks the first application of the ShipRight Risk-Based Certification (Rbc) methodology to fire safety on this type of vessel, with the aim of providing a systematic and flexible framework for risk assessment and the adoption of tailored protection measures.
Fires and explosions on board ships have become one of the most critical issues in maritime container transport. They rank among the top five causes of maritime accidents, with over 70 per cent of incidents traced back to human error during operations. The growing size of ships compounds the problem: ultra-large containerships can carry cargoes of up to 150,000 tonnes, with displacements of around 270,000 tonnes. Recent incidents, such as those involving the Northern Juvenile off Singapore, the Maersk Frankfurt along the Indian west coast and the YM Mobility in Ningbo port, underline the persistence of the problem, while misdeclared cargo continues to be the leading trigger, according to Allianz Commercial’s Safety and Shipping Review 2025.
The Fire (C, Risk) notation applies the Rbc method to certify innovative ship designs or those not covered by prescriptive requirements, in line with International Maritime Organization guidelines. Its modular framework allows application to both newbuilds and existing ships, selecting mitigation measures according to each vessel’s specific fire risk profile. As Gabriele Sancin, Lloyd’s Register’s technical lead for risk notations, noted, the goal is to enable owners to choose among different solutions — from advanced detection systems to alternative hold configurations — while ensuring equivalent or higher levels of safety for crew, cargo and operations.
The development of the notation goes hand in hand with technological advances in on-board fire detection. The Cargo Fires and Loss Innovation Initiative, which brings together owners such as Maersk, Evergreen and One alongside Lloyd’s Register, has been testing solutions designed to overcome the limitations of traditional systems, which can take up to twelve hours to detect a slow-burning fire. Among the technologies being trialled are multi-gas and particulate sensors, radio-wave analysis with artificial intelligence algorithms capable of detecting fire in under thirty seconds, nanotechnology-based “e-nose” systems and fibre optics for thermal monitoring of container bays. These tools address a wide spectrum of risk scenarios, from rapid outbreaks linked to lithium-ion batteries to fires triggered by chemical explosions.
The international regulatory landscape is moving in the same direction. The IMO’s Sse 11 subcommittee has recently proposed new measures for fire detection and control in cargo areas, introducing requirements for the use of portable infrared cameras and mobile water monitors. The European Union has launched the Overheat project, aimed at developing digital solutions for prevention and coordinated emergency management. On the competitive side, the Fire (C, Risk) notation joins Dnv’s Fcs, introduced in 2020 and already applied to several large Msc vessels, which offers modules for detection, firefighting and extended protection.
The actual impact on maritime transport will depend on factors such as insurance incentives, regulatory pressure from flag states and operational benefits from a reduced incidence of accidents. Adoption of the notation allows shipowners to demonstrate in a structured way that they meet or exceed prescriptive safety requirements, while retaining the flexibility to incorporate new technologies.
Looking ahead, the Fire (C, Risk) notation could become a tool for evaluating AI-driven systems, intelligent suppression solutions and alternative hold designs intended to contain flame spread. Integration with port operations is another potential development, offering the possibility of providing real-time risk information to local authorities to support rapid emergency management decisions. The risk-based approach already applied by Lloyd’s Register thus becomes part of the wider digitalisation of maritime operations, offering a replicable model for other areas of naval safety.
