Navigating crisis: The MSC Flaminia and its impact on maritime risk management

Sean Maloney discusses the lessons learned from the case of The MSC Flaminia

On 14 July, 2012 the maritime world was profoundly shaken by a violent explosion aboard MSC Flaminia, a 6,732 teu container ship traversing the Atlantic Ocean. This catastrophic event not only claimed the lives of three crew members but also ignited one of the most protracted and complex legal battles in maritime history, most recently heard in the UK Supreme Court in MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA v Conti 11 Container Schiffahrts-GmbH & Co KG MS (The MSC Flaminia) [2025] UKSC 14. The ramifications of this disaster have prompted a critical reassessment of risk management, safety protocols, and legal frameworks within the maritime industry.