As global supply chains become more complex and interconnected, the maritime industry continues to face evolving safety challenges. A growing area of concern is the presence of fire-initiating cargoes – materials that, under certain conditions, can ignite and escalate into serious incidents. On June 16, 2025, the Cargo Integrity Group reinforced its message to the industry: the dangers posed by so-called “Cargoes of Concern” are real, and consistent diligence is critical to prevent small missteps from turning into major disasters.
What are Fire-Initiating Cargoes?
Fire-initiating cargoes, also referred to as cargoes with reactive hazards, are substances that can catch fire spontaneously or contribute to fire propagation under specific conditions. Many of these are already classified under Dangerous Goods regulations, such as the IMDG Code. Yet despite regulatory frameworks, incidents continue to occur. This is often due to wrongly declared shipments, improper packing, or the absence of in-depth safety controls.
Common Reactive Hazard Cargoes
The Cargo Integrity Group highlights several high-risk cargoes that are frequently shipped in containers and require heightened attention:
- Calcium Hypochlorite: A powerful oxidizer used in water treatment, prone to thermal decomposition, especially when exposed to heat or contamination
- Charcoal and Carbon: Commonly used in consumer products like barbecue fuel or shisha pipes, often treated with accelerants. A revised IMO framework coming into effect January 2026 will mandate Dangerous Goods classification for all charcoal cargoes
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: While awareness is increasing, risks from new, used, or damaged batteries, including toxic gases and vapor cloud explosions, remain inadequately addressed in many areas of the industry
- Cotton, Wool, Fishmeal, Krill, and Seed Cake: Often overlooked, these organic materials are prone to self-heating and combustion if not stored and transported correctly
When Compliance Fails, Consequences Multiply
Most of these cargoes are not inherently dangerous when shipped according to established safety procedures. However, when these procedures are ignored or poorly implemented, the results can be severe. The Cargo Integrity Group underscores the importance of adhering to:
- IMDG Code: The baseline international regulation for transporting Dangerous Goods by sea
- CTU Code: A detailed industry guideline for the safe packing and handling of containerized cargo, with checklists and quick-reference guides now available in multiple languages
The Group also stresses that misdeclaration—whether deliberate or accidental—remains a major factor in cargo-related incidents. Inaccurate documentation can prevent proper stowage, emergency response planning, and risk mitigation.
Spotlight on Broader Supply Chain Risks
Beyond reactive hazards, the Cargo Integrity Group categorizes additional types of dangerous cargo:
- Spill or Leak Risks: Items like bitumen, vegetable oils in flexitanks, or hides and skins can pose environmental and health hazards
- Improper Packing Consequences: Heavy goods like logs, steel coils, or marble slabs, if not correctly secured, can cause serious damage to vessels, ports, and workers alike
This broader classification of risk encourages shippers to think beyond traditional Dangerous Goods categories and adopt a holistic approach to safety.
What It Means for Supply Chain Stakeholders
The message is clear: cargo integrity is a shared responsibility. From manufacturers and packers to freight forwarders and vessel operators, every actor plays a role in ensuring that dangerous goods are identified, packed, and declared properly. The failure to do so endangers not just cargo and vessels, but human lives.
The Cargo Integrity Group’s call for greater awareness is not just about compliance, it is about building a culture of safety throughout the container shipping industry. In the coming months, the Group plans to release further guidance on handling high-risk cargoes and urges stakeholders to utilize existing resources such as the CTU Code.
As with past safety initiatives in maritime transport, adaptation begins with awareness. And in the case of fire-initiating cargoes, the cost of inaction can be catastrophic.
