Heavy weather and an improperly secured cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) units led to two fires on board the cargo vessel Genius Star XI – causing $3.8 million in damages, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
What happened
On December 25, 2023, at 0830, while the cargo vessel Genius Star XI was transiting the North Pacific Ocean in heavy weather with a cargo of lithium-ion battery energy storage system units on board, a fire was discovered in a cargo hold.
Crew discharged the vessel’s fixed gas (carbon dioxide) fire extinguishing system into the hold, and the vessel proceeded to the nearest port, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, for assistance.
On December 28, about 0215, while the vessel was en route to Dutch Harbor, a fire started in a second cargo hold. The crew externally cooled the cargo hold using fire hoses, and, after the vessel anchored in Dutch Harbor on December 29, the fire was determined to be extinguished. There were no injuries, and no pollution was reported. Damage from both fires was estimated at $3.8 million.
Findings
Investigators determined that the probable cause of the two (December 25 and Dember 28, 2023) fires aboard the Genius Star XI was the breakaway of 41 battery energy storage systems (BESS) units in the cargo holds during heavy weather conditions due to improperly secured lashing belts, which resulted in internal structural deformation of these units and thermal runaway of lithium-ion battery packs in three of the BESS units.
Ensuring Proper Cargo Securing
In addition to following a vessel’s cargo securing manual and implementing the approved vessel storage and lashing plan, a vessel’s crew must also conduct a thorough inspection of all the cargo-securing arrangements both during and after cargo loading. Such inspections are critical to identifying improper attachments or other concerns with cargo securement that could compromise the assumptions planners make in implementation of the plan. Not ensuring cargo is properly secured can result in cargo breakaway. Special attention should be placed on examining fitment of components, such as lashing belt hooks, wire, or chain falls used to secure the cargo to ensure they are properly seated (fully engaged) on the D-rings or other points of securement.
Proper inspection and verification are critical to preventing cargo movement, structural damage to battery units, and potential thermal runaway events during heavy weather.
Download the PDF: NTSB MIR2541 Genius Star XI