Case Study 1.1 from our updated Casebook Home / News / Club News / Charcoal: Incorrect declaration caused charcoal fire Club News Charcoal: Incorrect declaration caused charcoal fire Göteborg: 29 September, 2023 Case Study 1.1 from our updated Casebook In this case study, a container vessel encountered a potentially dangerous situation at sea when smoke was observed emanating from a cargo hold vent. The ship’s Master promptly initiated safety measures, mustering the crew and deploying a fire team to secure the affected area. Despite their efforts, poor visibility impeded their progress, prompting the release of CO2 and a return to the vessel’s last port. Subsequent investigations revealed misdeclaration of cargo, as the manifested charcoal was later determined to fall under the IMDG dangerous cargo classification. This incident underscores the critical importance of accurate cargo documentation and vigilant onboard response protocols. Read the full case with Lessons learned in our Casebook Cargo – bulk