US Coast Guard report on cargo vessel Grande Costa D’Avorio which burned at Newark port in 2023

Recently on January 9, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis published the official Report of Investigation (ROI) into the serious fire aboard the Italian-flagged roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel Grande Costa D’Avorio — a blaze that occurred on July 5, 2023, at Berth 18, Port Newark, New Jersey and lasted five days before being extinguished.

The fire caused an estimated $23 million in damage and tragically led to the loss of two Newark, NJ firefighters who were responding ashore, prompting a District Formal Investigation led by the Coast Guard’s Northeast District Commander.

Key Findings and Safety Recommendations

• The 2026 Coast Guard report outlines crucial findings that could reshape future maritime safety practices:

• Multiple safety and administrative recommendations were issued to improve operations on cargo vessels and port emergency responses.

• Five “Findings of Concern” highlight areas where equipment, procedures, and coordination failed or were insufficient.

• A Safety Alert and a Final Action Memorandum (FAM) detail planned Coast Guard actions to address the risks uncovered in the investigation.

Safety Lessons for Maritime and Port Operations

The Grande Costa D’Avorio investigation underscores how cargo fires — especially on Ro-Ro vessels loaded with vehicles and containers — can escalate rapidly and strain emergency response resources. Earlier investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also highlighted challenges faced by land-based firefighters when confronting shipboard fire hazards and gaps in training and preparedness.

By releasing the ROI and associated recommendations, the Coast Guard aims to enhance maritime safety standards, improve firefighting coordination between ships and shore responders, and prevent future disasters that can cost lives and infrastructure.

 The ROI and FAM can be found at: GRANDE COSTA D’AVORIO Final ROI Redacted.pdf.

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