NTSB and USCG Recommendations After the Recent Car-Carrier Casualties

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board does not regulate — it investigates and recommends. Its findings on Felicity Ace (2022) and Höegh Xiamen (2020) produced a specific recommendation set. The U.S. Coast Guard, which does regulate, has formalised several of them. Operators on U.S. trades are already inside the resulting envelope, and the wider trade is following.

What the NTSB recommended

• Pre-shipment battery-disconnection verification and documentation for used vehicles.
• Crew familiarity drills specific to enclosed vehicle-space fires with Li-ion ignition.
• Audit of fixed CO₂ system sealing geometry — explicit dependence on full enclosure.
• Restrictions on the use of modified passenger vehicles as loading-tugs.
• Improved marine firefighting preparedness for high-temperature, re-ignition-prone fires.

What the USCG has formalised

• Tightened terminal-level procedures for used-vehicle exports.
• Updated guidance on fixed-system commissioning audits at U.S. ports.
• Loading-equipment safety requirements aligned with the NTSB findings.

Why the trade is following

When a major flag state or port authority operationalises a recommendation, the rest of the trade absorbs it through PSC harmonisation, insurer questionnaires, and class-society guidance. The U.S. moves alone create a de-facto floor everywhere else over 18–36 months. Operators that ignore that timeline find their non-U.S. trades catching up on premium and PSC posture.

Sources

• NTSB MAR-21/01 — "Marine Investigation Report: Fire aboard Vehicle Carrier Höegh Xiamen" (Aug 2021).
• NTSB — Marine Accident Brief on Felicity Ace (where issued; NTSB engagement coordinated via USCG).
• USCG — Maritime Information Bulletin on used-vehicle battery disconnection at loading (2022–2023).
• USCG — Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) updates relevant to vehicle carriers.
• Lloyd's List — follow-up coverage on NTSB recommendations and USCG formalisation.