CFIS is a unique international conference where stakeholders come together to discuss current challenges, gain new perspectives and advance maritime fire safety. In 2026, the conference will take place on 1–2 December in Borås, Sweden – home to the world-class RISE Fire and Safety facilities.

What is the Conference on Fire Safety at Sea?

The Conference on Fire Safety at Sea is dedicated to advancing maritime fire safety through collaboration, dialogue and networking. By bringing together a diverse mix of participants – from researchers to crew members – CFIS provides opportunities to learn from different perspectives and discuss future research and development needs.

CFIS was first arranged in 2021

CFIS has been held since 2021, originating from the EU-funded project LASH FIRE. The 2026 edition marks the fifth conference. Would you like to receive updates and news about the conference? Sign up for news and updates about CFIS.

Who is CFIS for?

CFIS is designed for industry professionals, researchers, authorities and regulators, technology providers, and anyone engaged in advancing maritime fire safety. The conference serves as an important meeting place for sharing experiences, building relationships and developing partnerships across the sector.

Why you should attend the Conference on Fire Safety at Sea

• Explore real-world experiences, research and the latest developments in ship fire safety.
• Connect with more than 100 professionals from across the maritime sector.
• Gain practical insights you can apply directly in your work.
• Contribute to discussions on the future of fire safety at sea

CFIS drives fire safety at sea

By bringing the sector together, the Conference on Fire Safety at Sea contributes to safer vessels, stronger policies and continued innovation in maritime fire safety.

Register for CFIS now

Secure your place to meet peers, gain new perspectives and contribute to safer vessels, crews and cargo at sea. Places are limited.

Register for CFIS now!

PS. Would you like to present at the conference? Great! You’re welcome to register your interest here: show of interest - speaker. We’ll get in touch if your topic is a good fit for the programme.

Day 1 

13:00 Registration and coffee 

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13:15 Welcome and introduction 
Anna Karlsson, RISE 

Collaboration for Safer Shipping
Sebastian Packalén, Stena Teknik 

Hydrogen in Shipping: Rules, Risks, and Research - Results from the NAVHYS EU-project
TBA

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14:30 Break 

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15:00 Regulating Maritime Battery Systems: From Norway to the IMO
Arne Brathole, Norwegian Maritime Authority 

Fire Suppression of Electric Vehicle Fires Onboard - Findings from the EMSA study Safe transport of Alternative Fuel Vehicles on Ro-Ro Ships (STARRS)
TBA

Maintenance Deficiencies and Fire Risks of Reefers and Tractor Units 
Adolfo Pastor, Trasmed 

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16:30 Break 

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17:00 Sailor Stories: Practical Maritime Fire Safety
TBA

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17:20 Closing remarks and information 

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17:30 Networking reception 

Day 2 

09:00 Coffee and highlights from Day 1
Anna Karlsson, RISE 

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09:15 Maritime Incident Response Group (MIRG) in the Valencian Community
Ángel Buenaga,Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Marítima and José María Piña, Alicante Municipal Fire Brigade

TBD

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10:30 Break 

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11:00 Round table discussions 

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11:45 Discussion outcomes and key takeaways 

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12:00 Lunch 

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13:00 Occurrence of and Personal Exposure to Flame Retardants Onboard 
Sarka Langer, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute & Chalmers University of Technology 

TBD 

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14:00 Break 

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14:30 Dangerous goods or not - Self‑heating in biocoal
 Sixten Dahlbom, RISE

TBD 

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15:15 Conference closing and study visit information 

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15:30 Bus transport to RISE laboratories 

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16:00 Study visits at RISE 
Choose one of the below: 

• Fire Laboratory 
• Battery Safety Laboratory 
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Laboratory 
• Mechanics laboratory 
• SSPA Maritime Centre (information session) 
• RISE Maritime Certification (information session) 

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17:00 Transport to Göteborg Landvetter Airport 

Drawing on our extensive databases and experience in wind propulsion, we can utilize our own validated input data when needed.

Each project is unique, therefore varying levels of precision are necessary. Our capabilities include a variety of tools, ranging from rapid Velocity Prediction Programs (VPP) to complex CFD, enabling us to select the most suitable method for every situation.

Applications

Predictions of the fuel saving potential of wind propulsion systems can be used for:

• Early-stage feasibility
• Comparing technologies
• Business case support
• Performance guarantee
• Performance models to
• Routing software

Minimising risks through assessments at the design stage

Assessing seakeeping and manoeuvring performance at an early stage is even more important for wind powered vessels than for conventional ships, since there is little design experience to lean on. When the driving force comes from sails instead of a propeller, ship dynamics change considerably. Course keeping, turning ability, motions and acceleration in waves are just some of the properties that must be assessed.

Minimising risks by:

• Early-stage assessments of manoeuvring and course keeping
• Design advice - rudders and appendages
• Determination of motions and accelerations for structural loads
• Simulation of critical manoeuvres
• Risks & Safety Assessments (FSA, FMEA)
   

The main objective of the STARRS study from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is to provide recommendations for further guidance and input into the development of instruments relevant to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The study is being carried out by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and Bureau Veritas.

Read more on EMSA's website: Publications - Safe Transport of Alternative Fuel Vehicles on Ro-Ro Ships (STARSS) study - EMSA - European Maritime Safety Agency

Against this background, the project aims to strengthen the preparedness of Swedish port regions for the future in relation to other societal and security-related challenges. This is particularly important given the uncertainties surrounding the magnitude of future climate change and the evolving demands on port operations, such as changing security requirements.

As climate change affects Swedish ports in different ways, ranging from rising sea levels to changing ice seasons, port operations face both operational and strategic challenges. Addressing these challenges requires clear allocation of responsibilities, long-term planning, and collaboration between port authorities, municipalities, and national government actors. By examining how climate adaptation measures can be coordinated among different stakeholders, the project contributes to increased efficiency and knowledge sharing within Swedish port regions.

At the same time, a changing climate creates new opportunities, such as improved conditions for shipping over the seasons. By combining physical measures, nature-based solutions, and organizational development, ports can strengthen their robustness and contribute to a sustainable and resilient transport system.

Enhanced preparedness for climate change and extreme events is therefore expected to contribute to the transport policy objective of a socio-economically efficient and long-term sustainable transport system. The project further disseminates knowledge on climate adaptation methods and demonstrates how collaboration can be used to spread knowledge and create long-term solutions.

Small‑scale fisheries face significant challenges related to both sustainability and profitability. At the same time, the sector holds great potential to contribute to a more environmentally friendly and resilient food supply chain. The SEAGLOW project is part of this transition by demonstrating how the right combination of modern technologies, in a cost‑effective way, can reduce fuel consumption, strengthen fishing communities, and create the conditions for positive and long‑term change.

The Swedish participation in the project is coordinated at RISE, and we also serve as a research partner. This includes practical involvement in working on the fishing vessel Valentina, which will be converted into a battery-plug-in hybrid to demonstrate how CO₂‑neutral small‑scale fishing can be conducted along the Swedish coast. In this work, both RISE technical expertise and knowledge of regulatory frameworks are highly valuable. Beyond that, RISE leads the work package responsible for evaluating the environmental, economic, and social feasibility of implementing the various solutions tested within the project.

SEAGLOW brings together 16 partners from several countries and tests different technological solutions on fishing vessels in Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, and Norway. Common to all vessels are efforts focused on energy efficiency and environmental improvements, such as sensor technology and environmentally friendly antifouling.

Maritime shipping is undergoing a transition from fossil to renewable fuels, while global supply chains have become increasingly vulnerable to disruptions related to, for example, geopolitics, extreme weather events, and cyber threats. As new fuels such as methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and LBG are introduced, the ways in which fuel is produced, transported, stored, and bunkered are changing. This transformation creates new dependencies and risks within maritime fuel supply chains.

The aim of the project is to analyse how different types of risks and disruptions may affect supply chains for renewable maritime fuels, and to contribute knowledge on how these supply chains can be made more resilient. The work addresses both how supply chains can be designed to better withstand disruptions and how actors can respond when unforeseen events occur.

The project is carried out using a system perspective and in close collaboration with shipping companies, ports, bunker suppliers, fuel producers, and public authorities. Through interviews, analyses of existing supply chains, and scenario-based studies of future development pathways, the project generates knowledge that can support decision-making in both industry and the public sector. In this way, the project contributes to a more resilient energy supply for maritime shipping and to the transition towards a fossil-free transport system.

This project evaluates and ranks ammonia-based fuel blends for maritime use, including hydrogen-ammonia (H₂/NH₃) mixtures and blends with electrofuels or biofuels such as e-methane, e-methanol, e-ethyl acetate, and e-dimethoxymethane. 

Economic sustainability will be assessed by analyzing production costs, infrastructure needs, and fuel availability. Environmental impact will be evaluated using a well-to-wake lifecycle approach. The toxicity profiles of all candidate fuels are reviewed to address safety and regulatory concerns. Combustion and fire safety rankings will leverage CHEMKIN-PRO to compute key flame characteristics. The project aims to identify the most promising fuel blends for further development and contribute to climate-neutral shipping.