Gard invited industry stakeholders, authorities and experts to address the growing concern with devastating fires aboard container ships. Efforts to stem the mis-declaration of dangerous cargo are essential and encouraged but that is only one facet of the solution. There is a profound need to bring fire detection and fire-fighting on-board container ships higher up on the safety agenda of regulators and the industry at large. The SOLAS regulations have not kept pace with the realities of the risks faced and there is an urgent need for review and revision.