The shipping industry is gearing up for stricter safety regulations for transporting charcoal, set to become mandatory under IMO guidelines by 2026.

This move comes after a series of tragic fires onboard vessels, exposing the dangers of improper charcoal handling and endangering crews.

New regulations will classify all charcoal shipments as dangerous goods under the IMDG Code, enforcing stricter handling, packing, and stowage standards.

The World Shipping Council (WSC), instrumental in driving these changes, highlights the urgency to end preventable fires at sea.

Industry leaders like Joe Kramek of WSC stress that uniform safety standards will protect crews, cargo, and vessels from future disasters.

The new regulations are a game-changer, aiming to create a safer, more accountable shipping industry—where tragedies like these are a thing of the past.