NYK Enhances Fire Safety Measures After Rise In Car Carrier Fire Incidents Globally

Japan’s largest shipping company, NYK Line, organised a detailed inspection of one of its car carriers on June 20, inviting officials from the Tokyo Fire Department, Yokohama City Fire Bureau, and local cargo-handling companies.

The event aimed to improve coordination between ship crew and land-based fire responders, especially for fires that occur when ships are moored at berth.

Over 40 participants joined the inspection, which took place while the vessel was docked. NYK’s maritime officers guided attendees through the ship’s structure, focusing on how cars are loaded and where the firefighting equipment is installed. They also provided a full explanation of the vessel’s fire-prevention systems.

The initiative comes amid a global rise in fire incidents aboard car carriers in recent years. NYK has been taking active measures to address this issue. The company has developed transport guidelines specifically for newer types of vehicles such as electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel-cell vehicles, which pose different fire risks than traditional cars.

NYK is also updating its firefighting equipment using digital tools and offering new training programs to crew members.

One of the major concerns addressed during the inspection was the safety of dock workers who might be on board when a fire breaks out. In such situations, it becomes essential to carry out fast and safe evacuations.

Another key issue is the challenge of working together with emergency responders who may not be familiar with the ship’s layout or onboard fire systems. To address these issues, the event included a discussion session after the tour.

Participants exchanged opinions on how to respond to fires more effectively, especially by improving communication between ship and shore teams. They also talked through real-world scenarios to consider the best ways to handle emergencies onboard.

This was the first time a fire safety inspection involving land-based fire departments was held on an NYK car carrier in Japan. However, the NYK Group has already conducted similar inspections and joint training programs in countries like the United States, Canada, several parts of Europe, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.

The participating organisations in this event included the Tokyo Fire Department, Yokohama City Fire Bureau, UNI-X NCT Co., Ltd., Honma Co., Ltd., and NYK Line.

NYK stated that it plans to continue expanding such cooperative efforts with firefighting agencies in different parts of the world. The company said its goal is to keep improving vessel safety by building strong partnerships with onshore emergency services and ensuring quick, coordinated responses in case of fire emergencies at berth.

Reference: NYK Line

Source: Maritime Shipping News