A number of ships around the world – including the world’s newest luxury cruise ship – have been affected by the discovery of potentially faulty fire resistant panels.
Helsinki-based Paroc, which manufactures the non-combustible stone wool panels, has recalled them after identifying “certification issues”.
The Explora 1 cruise ship setting sail after its delayed launch from Portsmouth (Credit: David Robinson/AlamyStock)
According to the Financial Times, the company has identified 45 ships in operation with the non-compliant panels. The planned launch in early July of the 248-metre Explora I – the world’s newest luxury cruise ship due to be delivered to cruise operator MSC – was postponed at one day’s notice and took place a few weeks later.
IFSEC Insider contacted Paroc on a number of occasions, but they were unwilling to tell us:
A Paroc spokesperson did, however, make the following statement:
“We recently identified a certification issue with some of our products. We have suspended the distribution and sales of these products, and have alerted the relevant regulatory authorities. In parallel, we recalled the products and notified our customers. We are working closely with regulatory and government authorities, shipbuilders and other stakeholders to address this issue.”
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) sets the requirements for shipping components to be tested for fire safety. But the testing and approval of products for marine use is the responsibility of the national maritime administrations (the government of the state whose flag the ship is under).
“The test is normally carried out by test laboratories which have been recognised by the national maritime administrations,” said an IMO spokesperson.
“A list of laboratories recognised by the administrations, which are able to conduct fire tests in accordance with the provisions of the International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures (FTP Code), can be found on IMO’s Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS). The expression ‘IMO approved/certified’ is used to mean ‘approved in accordance with the IMO Convention or other instruments concerned’.”
Carnival, the world’s biggest cruise operator, told the FT that the panels in question were fitted on one of its ships, but they had passed “all required certifications at the time of installation. While we have seen no indication of any issues with the insulation actually installed on our ship, we are looking into the test results and discussing them with the relevant flag state regulators and authorities. We will, of course, take whatever action necessary to ensure the continued safety and security of our guests and crew.”
Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive of MSC subsidiary Explora Journeys, said last month that the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri had “identified a critical issue that must receive immediate attention. Certain materials from a third-party supplier do not meet the required safety certifications and we therefore could not take delivery of the ship as planned,” he said, adding it was working with the shipbuilder on “resolving the situation to ensure that Explora I will meet the highest safety standards”.
There has been a spate of marine-based vessel fires in recent weeks.
A few weeks ago, the UK Government’s Bibby Stockholm barge, designed to temporarily house asylum seekers, delayed its first arrivals – reportedly due to fire safety concerns. One source described the barge as a “floating Grenfell”.
In late July, a fire swept through a cargo ship carrying thousands of cars in the North Sea. One of the crew died in the blaze, with the other 22 people surviving – seven of them had jumped into the sea to escape.
In addition, a 28-metre luxury superyacht owned by a professional poker player caught fire on Saturday 12 August – the 17 people on board were rescued and brought to safety.
IFSEC Insider raised the issue of a worrying trend of marine fires in December last year, as reporter Hunter Seymour delved into the challenges of fire protection and risk assessments for vessels.
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