Investigation finds Canada has ‘gaps in emergency response’ after ship fire in Victoria

In 2021, an incident occurred just off the shores of Victoria in which a container ship, the ZIM Kingston experienced parametric rolling, followed by a fire on board. 

According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), this has sparked safety concerns over gaps in Canada’s preparedness to respond to marine emergencies.

The TSB says that while waiting for anchorage to be available just off the shores of Victoria on October 21st, 2021, the ZIM Kingston experienced parametric rolling—a series of severe side-to-side rolls—which caused 109 containers to be lost overboard and others were damaged. 

Then, around 36 hours later, while anchored, a fire broke out in one of the damaged containers that held dangerous goods. 

The TSB says the fire spread quickly and burned for a total of five days. 

Following the back-to-back incidents an investigation was opened into what happened which found that the rolling could have been identified earlier and avoided. 

When examined alongside other instances of parametric rolling that resulted in the loss of containers, it was revealed that inconsistencies and inadequacies exist with respect to crew training and the adoption of procedures and tools to support them. 

According to the TSB, the International Maritime Organization is moving to take steps to improve upon these findings, but say this will take time.

The TSB’s report also found that Canada’s response procedures to maritime emergencies may have significant gaps. 

“Unlike the United States, Canada does not require pre-arranged plans for emergency response or marine salvage,” reads the report. 

“In addition, the Canadian Coast Guard does not directly participate in marine fire response, nor does it have fire suppression capabilities to directly respond to a vessel fire.”

It was also noted it was only by happenstance that there were two suitably equipped vessels nearby to aid them in the emergency response. 

Related:

• More than 100 cargo containers fell overboard off the coast of Vancouver Island in ship incident
• Victorians won’t feel any health impacts of recent container ship fire: Canadian Coast Guard

“The emergency response that followed was initiated mainly due to incidental, but fortunate, circumstances. It is important not to mistake this luck for emergency preparedness, as the next time, we might not be as lucky,” says TSB Chair Kathy Fox. 

“There needs to be more urgent and effective action to address marine emergencies in Canadian waters.”

As a direct result of the ZIM Kingston’s incident, Transport Canada is developing regulations to require emergency response arrangements.

These are projected to be put in place by 2028, according to the TSB.