AMSA will close from 5 pm AEDT Wednesday 24 December 2025, re-opening on Friday 2 January 2026. Our search and rescue team will continue to operate every day (24/7). See which services are affected.

Image of firefighters using a fire hose on a vessel"
Image of firefighters using a fire hose on a vessel

Fire and explosion incidents on ships result in the most expensive insurance claims in the marine industry. Fires spread quickly on ships and can be particularly difficult to contain, often resulting in crew abandoning ship. There have been over 70 reported serious fire incidents on container ships worldwide in the past 5 years1.


1 Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty AGCS (2022). Safety and Shipping Review 2022