MoL to Use AI System to Detect Fires on Car Carriers

Following a number of high-profile car carrier fires in 2023, Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MoL) is deploying an AI-based system to improve fire safety on its own fleet of car carriers. 

At present MoL’s car carriers are equipped with traditional fire alarms based around smoke detectors. Despite this, MoL has suffered fire-related losses. 

Perhaps the most catastrophic of these was the total loss of the Felicity Ace. 

In February 2022, when the vessel was approximately 90 nautical miles to the southwest of Faial (an island in the Azores), a blaze erupted. Unable to tackle the blaze, the Felicity Ace was evacuated and subsequently burned for a number of days before it was lost. 

The ship was carrying around 4,000 cars including Lamborghinis, Audis, and Volkswagens. It is estimated that the financial loss associated with the Felicity Ace will be in the region of $400 million.

Whilst the cause of the fire has never been established, the sheer scale of the loss has clearly prompted MoL to explore newer, arguably more advanced means of improving onboard fire safety.

So, what is their chosen solution? 

MoL has partnered with Israeli tech firm Captain’s Eye to install a camera-based, AI-enhanced system on its vessels. The first systems are set to be installed on 10 new LNG-fuelled car carriers that MoL currently has on order. 

In addition to these new vessels (which are expected to enter into service this year), MoL is also considering retrofitting the system to its older fleet (which currently amounts to 96 car carriers).

The system analyses images from cameras placed throughout the hold of a vessel. Using AI, the system detects any abnormalities in the images, and then provides an ‘early warning’ to crew members both aboard the vessel and the onshore ship management team.

It is hoped that this system will enable faster smoke detection and prevent the breakout of fires. 

As insurance giant Allianz pointed out in a market analysis report last year, fires represent one of the biggest ongoing dangers for the maritime industry. According to the insurer’s analysis, there were over 200 such fires in 2022, representing the highest number in a decade.

Why the number of such fires has increased remains contentious, however, numerous commentators and industry experts have pointed the finger at EVs (more specifically, their batteries). 

Here at Brookes Bell, we have led the way in warning of the dangers of lithium-ion batteries on board vessels, launching a joint white paper late in 2022 which can be downloaded here.

Brookes Bell: leading the way on EV battery fire risk

Our team of fire and explosion safety experts are able to provide you with both proactive and reactive advice in relation to lithium-ion and other battery-related fires. 

This advice covers the end-to-end requirements of a battery fire, ranging from what PPE should be used, to advice on containment measures and more. 

Find out more about Brookes Bell’s EV fire safety consultancy services now

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