World Shipping Council launches industry-first programme to prevent ship fires

This combines AI and common inspection standards.

The World Shipping Council (WSC) has launched the first industry-led initiative Cargo Safety Program.

According to the council, the programme aims to detect misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods to prevent ship fires, protect crews, vessels, customers’ cargo, and the marine environment.

Ship fires are at their highest level in over a decade, according to Allianz's Safety and Shipping Review 2025. Misdeclared dangerous goods are a leading cause of ship fires, reported as responsible for more than a quarter of all cargo-related incidents.

WSC said the programme combines AI-powered cargo screening and common inspection standards to identify misdeclared and undeclared high-risk shipments before they are loaded.

“The WSC Cargo Safety Program strengthens the industry’s safety net by combining shared screening technology, common inspection standards, and real-world feedback to reduce risk,” said Joe Kramek, President and CEO of WSC.