News

Fire on Cargo Ship at the Port of Tilbury Highlights the Importance of Cargo Safety

30th July 2026

Port of Tilbury

Firefighters were called to the Port of Tilbury on Tuesday 28th July after a fire broke out on board a cargo vessel carrying approximately 2,500 tonnes of scrap metal. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service worked alongside the vessel’s crew and on-site personnel to bring the incident under control. Local reports have not indicated any injuries, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

While incidents like this are relatively uncommon, they serve as an important reminder of the challenges involved in transporting certain cargoes and the robust safety procedures that ports, shipping lines and emergency services have in place to protect people, vessels and supply chains.

Why can scrap metal cargoes catch fire?

Scrap metal is not typically considered highly combustible. However, contamination within scrap loads can introduce significant fire risks.

Some of the most common causes include:

  • Lithium-ion batteries hidden amongst scrap materials, which can enter thermal runaway if damaged or crushed.
  • Pressurised gas cylinders or aerosol cans that have not been removed before recycling.
  • Chemical residues or flammable liquids remaining on metal components.
  • Heat generated through friction or crushing during loading and handling.
  • Electrical faults within cargo handling equipment or machinery.

While the cause of the Tilbury incident has not yet been confirmed, industry bodies have reported a significant rise in fires linked to improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries. As the use of rechargeable batteries continues to increase, ensuring they are correctly removed and recycled has become an increasingly important safety consideration across the recycling and logistics sectors.

The importance of cargo safety

International shipping is governed by a range of safety regulations and industry standards designed to reduce the risk of incidents involving cargo, vessels and port operations.

These include:

  • Accurate cargo declarations.
  • Correct classification of hazardous materials.
  • Safe loading and stowage procedures.
  • Regular vessel inspections.
  • Fire detection and suppression systems.
  • Emergency response planning involving ports, vessel crews and local fire and rescue services.

When incidents do occur, rapid coordination between emergency responders, port operators and shipping companies helps minimise disruption while protecting people, infrastructure and the wider supply chain.

Why cargo insurance matters

While every effort is made to prevent incidents, unexpected events can still happen.

Cargo insurance can help protect businesses against financial losses arising from incidents such as fire, theft or accidental damage during transit, depending on the policy purchased. Without adequate insurance, businesses may be responsible for replacing damaged goods themselves, as carrier liability is often limited under international shipping conventions.

For importers and exporters moving valuable or time-sensitive cargo, ensuring shipments are appropriately insured is an important part of managing supply chain risk.

Supporting businesses from the heart of Tilbury

As a freight forwarder based in Tilbury, this incident has particular relevance for us. The Port of Tilbury plays a vital role in UK trade, handling millions of tonnes of cargo each year and connecting UK businesses with markets around the world.

At Beckchoice, we work closely with shipping lines, port operators and logistics partners to help our customers move freight safely and efficiently. We also encourage customers to consider adding appropriate cargo insurance and to ensure shipments are correctly declared and prepared before entering the supply chain – something our team can arrange as part of our freight forwarding services. Get in touch.

While the investigation into this week’s fire continues, the incident serves as a timely reminder that safety remains at the heart of international logistics. Through careful cargo preparation, robust safety procedures and effective risk management, the industry continues to work towards protecting people, cargo and global supply chains.

Sources

Please note: This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing. Details surrounding the incident may change as official investigations continue.