Risk Focus: Safe Carriage of Vehicle Cargoes The carriage of vehicles on board PCCs, PCTCs, Ro‑Ro and Ro‑Pax vessels presents a range of well‑established and emerging risks. These vessels’ design characteristics, combined with large volumes of cargo and tight operating margins, mean that incidents involving fire, loss of stability or cargo movement can escalate rapidly if not effectively controlled. Recent casualties have highlighted the continued vulnerability of vehicle carriers to fires originating on vehicle decks and to stability‑related incidents. The increasing carriage of electric and hybrid vehicles adds further complexity, particularly due to the unique fire behaviour of lithium‑ion batteries and the operational challenges they pose for detection, firefighting and emergency response. This Risk Focus provides practical guidance for shipowners, operators and crew involved in the carriage of vehicle cargoes, drawing on casualty experience, current industry guidance and regulatory developments. This Risk Focus covers: the principal risks associated with the carriage of vehicle cargoes, including fires and loss of stability the specific challenges posed by electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles casualty case studies involving fires and stability incidents on vehicle carriers and Ro‑Ro vessels fire detection, monitoring and firefighting considerations on vehicle decks emergency response and incident management, including operations at sea and alongside stability considerations, cargo stowage and securing practices crew training and operational preparedness