The increasing use of composite materials instead of steel in ships poses a significant fire threat and will require a new approach to safety, according to a Danish study.
Composite materials are increasingly viewed as a possible way to achieve a new generation of super-lightweight, fuel-efficient ships as the industry seeks to reduce its carbon footprint.
The European Union-funded Realisation and Demonstration of Advanced Material Solutions for Sustainable and Efficient Ships (RAMSSES) project is leading the way and hopes to use fibre-reinforced plastics (FRP) to halve the weight of hulls in the future.
