Misdeclared and undeclared dangerous goods continue to expose container ships and their crews to serious fire and explosion risks, while increasing vessel sizes make onboard emergencies more difficult to manage, according to discussions in The Swedish Club’s Knot Another Lesson podcast.
In the episode titled “Misdeclared Cargo: Catching the risk before it sails,” Joakim Enström, Loss Prevention Manager at The Swedish Club, is joined by Captain Jorge Pecci, Vice President of Commercial Services at National Cargo Bureau (NCB), and Josh Laverick, Client Solutions Director at NCB Hazcheck, to examine why cargo misdeclarations persist and how earlier detection can prevent incidents at sea.
The discussion highlights findings from container inspections, the role of digital cargo screening and the importance of strengthening accountability throughout the supply chain.
Misdeclared cargo remains a systemic safety concern
According to Pecci, an NCB container inspection initiative identified significant compliance shortcomings. Of more than 500 containers inspected, over 270 failed to meet the required standards, representing a failure rate of approximately 55%.
Among dangerous goods shipments, failure rates reached around 70% for US imports and approximately 38–40% for exports, with deficiencies involving cargo securing, placarding and misdeclaration.
Pecci explained that misdeclaration is driven by several factors, including inadequate training, limited regulatory knowledge, commercial pressures and deliberate attempts to avoid additional costs or restrictions.
Some shippers may incorrectly classify hazardous goods because they do not understand the requirements of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, while others may deliberately alter descriptions or conceal dangerous cargo to avoid restrictions.
The consequences become increasingly serious as container ships grow larger. Higher container stacks, greater cargo concentrations and limited access to individual containers create additional challenges for fire detection and emergency response.
As ships get bigger, the stakes get higher.
… Pecci warned, emphasizing that vessel firefighting capabilities and safety controls must keep pace with increasing ship sizes.
Early screening helps prevent dangerous cargo from reaching vessels
Laverick described how digital screening can identify potentially misdeclared cargo before containers arrive at the terminal.
He recalled a shipment initially booked as hand tools that was subsequently flagged by Hazcheck Detect after its cargo description changed to a consignment of power tools six days before sailing.
Following an investigation by the carrier, the shipment was found to contain lithium battery-powered equipment, including drills, gardening tools and sanders. The booking was subsequently corrected and processed as dangerous goods in accordance with the IMDG Code.
Without the intervention, the shipment could have been loaded without the appropriate declaration, stowage arrangements and precautions for lithium-ion batteries.
The screening system examines commodity descriptions, Harmonized System (HS) codes, shipping documentation, keywords and trade patterns to identify potentially hazardous shipments. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are also used to recognize suspicious descriptions and inconsistencies.
However, Laverick clarified that the technology does not make compliance decisions. Instead, it identifies potential risks for the carrier’s cargo and compliance teams to investigate, escalate or reject where necessary.
He also reported that approximately 450 confirmed undeclared or misdeclared cargo shipments per week are being stopped across carriers participating in the World Shipping Council’s Cargo Safety Program.
Although longer-term evidence is still needed to measure the program’s impact on casualty rates, he noted improvements in risk identification, consistency across booking offices and the speed of carrier interventions.
Lithium batteries and chemicals among recurring concerns
The discussion identified lithium-ion batteries, chemical products, consumer electronics, charcoal and vehicle-related cargo as recurring areas of concern.
Lithium batteries present particular challenges when shipped inside equipment without adequate documentation or when used, damaged or defective batteries are incorrectly described.
Pecci warned that batteries intended for refurbishment or recycling may have uncertain conditions, making accurate classification particularly important for safe packing, handling and stowage.
Laverick also highlighted vague commodity descriptions, such as industrial goods, liquids or samples, and the inappropriate use of not otherwise specified (N.O.S.) shipping descriptions when more specific classifications are required.
These practices can conceal important information about the nature of the cargo and prevent carriers from applying the appropriate safety precautions.
Once dangerous cargo is onboard, response options narrow
Both speakers emphasized that identifying hazardous cargo before loading provides significantly more opportunities to prevent an incident.
While containers are ashore, carriers can request additional information, conduct inspections, correct documentation, arrange repacking or refuse a shipment. Once a container is at sea, these options become severely restricted.
For large container ships, fires can also be difficult to locate and access, particularly when they originate deep within container stacks. Limited crew resources and inadequate knowledge of the cargo contents can further complicate firefighting operations.
If you don’t know what’s burning, it becomes almost impossible to fight it.
… Pecci stressed, highlighting how incorrect cargo declarations can place crews and emergency responders in situations where they lack critical information about the hazards involved.
Training and accountability remain essential
Despite improvements in digital screening, both speakers stressed that technology cannot eliminate cargo misdeclaration without stronger training and safety awareness.
Pecci emphasized that prevention begins with shippers understanding their responsibilities, including correct cargo classification, packing and documentation.
Laverick added that knowledge gaps also exist among carrier booking and customer service teams, where incorrect descriptions or incomplete dangerous goods declarations may go unnoticed.
He described how one carrier uses cargo screening results as an internal training tool, helping booking personnel identify mistakes while also providing feedback to shippers.
The speakers called for better access to regulatory information, stronger documentation checks, consistent enforcement and a safety culture that prioritizes accurate declarations throughout the logistics chain.
Ultimately, the discussion reinforced that preventing dangerous cargo incidents requires a combination of early detection, effective training and human judgment, with action taken before incorrectly declared shipments reach the vessel.