ClassNK Issues Edition 2.0 of Container Ship Fire Safety Guide

Updated Guidance for Container Fires

ClassNK has published Edition 2.0 of its ‘Guidelines for Additional Fire-fighting Measures for Container Carrier,’ according to a report by The Maritime Executive. The guidelines set out criteria for evaluating fire-fighting measures on container ships that go beyond the mandatory requirements found in international conventions and regulations.

According to ClassNK, the new edition draws on operational experience from ships already in service, along with recent international regulatory developments. The class society first issued the guidelines in April 2023, in response to increasingly varied cargo characteristics and stowage arrangements aboard container vessels, which had raised questions about whether existing mandatory fire safety requirements were sufficient.

What Changed

Edition 2.0 was developed using feedback from shipowners and shipbuilders, discussions held at the IMO, and observations of real-world ship operating conditions. Key revisions include:

• The addition of fire hydrants on lashing bridges, intended to support faster fire-fighting response in those areas.
• New measures covering video monitoring systems designed to support earlier fire detection in weather deck cargo areas.
• Adjustments to equipment specifications and quantities aimed at balancing operational needs with cost-effectiveness. As one example, ClassNK reduced the required number of cameras from eight to two, while clarifying that portable infrared thermographic cameras are intended for use during firefighting operations and fire patrols.

Certification and Access

ClassNK notes that compliance with the guidelines allows shipowners and operators to demonstrate enhanced fire safety measures to external stakeholders through corresponding notations. The society said it will continue developing guidelines and certification services aimed at improving maritime transportation safety more broadly.

The updated guidelines are available for download through the ‘Guidelines’ section of My Page on ClassNK’s website, following registration.