Cargo fires have become one of the most serious safety issues in global shipping. In recent years, fires linked to mis-declared or undeclared hazardous goods have climbed, putting vessels, crews, and supply chains at risk. The industry is now turning to artificial intelligence to help stop these fires before they start.

According to the World Shipping Council, cargo fires are often caused by items such as lithium-ion batteries or flammable materials that are incorrectly described during booking. To address this, major carriers are adopting AI-driven screening tools designed to detect high-risk shipments early in the process.

Read the World Shipping Council’s announcement here.

Why Cargo Fires Are Increasing

Hazardous goods require special handling, documentation, and stowage. When those goods are mislabeled—intentionally or by mistake—they can be placed in unsuitable locations onboard. Heat, pressure, or movement during transit can then trigger fires that are difficult to control at sea.

Transportation consultant Thomas Witt notes that traditional manual screening methods simply cannot keep up with the volume of global cargo bookings. With millions of containers moving each year, identifying risky shipments has become a scale problem.

How AI Screening Tools Work

The new AI systems analyze booking information in real time. Instead of relying only on keyword checks, the tools look for unusual patterns, vague cargo descriptions, and inconsistencies that suggest a shipment may contain dangerous materials.

When the system flags a booking, carriers can request additional documentation or conduct targeted inspections before the cargo is loaded. This approach allows resources to be focused where the risk is highest, rather than slowing down the entire shipping process.

What This Means for Shippers

For companies moving goods internationally, AI screening raises the bar on compliance. Accurate cargo descriptions are no longer just a paperwork requirement—they are essential for avoiding delays, inspections, and potential rejection of shipments.

Thomas Witt emphasizes that this shift should encourage shippers to review internal processes, especially when handling products that could be classified as hazardous. Clear documentation and proper declarations reduce risk for everyone involved.

A Safer Path Forward

AI will not replace the responsibility of shippers to declare goods correctly. But it adds a powerful layer of protection at a time when cargo fire risk is rising across the transportation industry. As these tools become more widely adopted, the industry moves closer to safer, more reliable global shipping operations.