Seeking safe refuge

Summary

Container ship fires remain a persistent and costly risk for vessels, crews, cargo and the environment. Once a salvage contract is in place, finding a suitable port of refuge (POR) becomes a pressing operational and legal issue. The article outlines the decision-making chain — often led by the salvage master under a Lloyd’s Standard Form of Salvage Agreement (LOF) but requiring cooperation from shipowners, insurers, charterers, flag and class — and stresses the need for early, joint assessment of hazards, location, reachable PORs and local authority positions.

The piece highlights IMO Guidance A.1184(33) (2023), which encourages States to consider stabilisation and acceptance of casualties, but notes States are not obliged to grant entry and NIMBY tendencies persist. Shoreside challenges are considerable: damaged containers, hazardous or contaminated cargo, reefers and firefighting residues require compliant handling, recycling or disposal and may trigger international rules such as the Basel Convention. The article advises proactive engagement with authorities, early face-to-face meetings, appointing site teams and seeking integrated ship/shore solutions to smooth the POR process.

Key Points

Container ship fires are increasing in scale and complexity, creating major safety, environmental and commercial issues.
Salvors often command casualties under LOF, but effective POR decisions require joint action by salvors, shipowners, charterers, insurers, flag and class.
IMO Guidelines A.1184(33) (2023) provide an operational framework encouraging States to accept ships in need of assistance, but entry remains a case-by-case decision.
Local authority reluctance (NIMBY) and inconsistent decision-making can delay port entry and increase risk to ships and cargo.
Shoreside operations — unloading, decontamination, segregation, recycling and lawful disposal — are complex, expensive and governed by international and local rules (including the Basel Convention).
Early dialogue with potential PORs, appointing site teams and coordinated insurer/owner cooperation are vital to resolve technical and commercial issues quickly.

Context & Relevance

The industry trend to ever-larger container ships, carrying more dangerous goods and more parties with interests onboard, amplifies the consequences of fires. Ports, P&I clubs, insurers and ship operators must adapt procedures and build relationships with coastal authorities to manage these incidents. The piece is directly relevant to shipowners, operators, salvors, insurers, port authorities and regulators who need to plan for rapid, legally compliant responses to casualties.

Why should I read this?

If you work around container shipping, ports or marine insurance — read it. It’s a compact playbook on who does what when a fire breaks out, why delays happen at ports, and how to avoid turning a manageable casualty into a legal and environmental nightmare. Basically: save time, limit liability, and stop the ship becoming a pariah.

Author style

Punchy — this is practical, no-nonsense guidance. If a container blaze could affect your fleet, customers or balance sheet, pay attention to the detail.