These fires present significant hazards, including high heat release rates, toxic emissions, and other risks associated with thermal runaway, all of which make both management and extinguishment exceptionally difficult.

Fires at sea are challenging because shipboard crews, often equipped with basic firefighting training, must act as first responders in the absence of immediate shore-based support.

Furthermore, the global shipping industry has not yet fully adapted to the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, whether they are carried as cargo, as an auxiliary power source, or used for ship propulsion.

Technology and the drive to utilise and implement it are challenging traditional methods of response. These challenges impact regulatory frameworks such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention and create critical gaps in preparedness, response capabilities, and operational protocols. Salvage companies are sometimes called upon for longer-term incidents to manage fires, prevent environmental damage, and recover cargo, but their involvement is often delayed, leaving crews to handle the crisis in the meantime.