Lithium-ion Batteries Archives - The International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)

WSC calls for governments to close battery cargo safety gap

Posted on September 29, 2026September 29, 2026 by News Hound

The World Shipping Council (WSC) is urging governments to close a gap in international dangerous goods rules that allows containers carrying thousands of lithium batteries to be transported without carriers being informed of the hazard.

The call comes as battery transport grows rapidly and cargo fires remain a persistent risk at sea.

Global lithium-ion battery deployment in 2025 was six times higher than in 2020, according to the International Energy Agency, with battery demand expected to double by 2030. Latest statistics by insurer Allianz show that a container ship fire occurs every 17 days. Continue reading “WSC calls for governments to close battery cargo safety gap”

Latest guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers

Posted on September 15, 2026September 16, 2026 by News Hound

In response to the growing risks associated with the maritime transport of lithium-ion cells and batteries, the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) released its latest guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers.

Lithium-ion cells are the core components of batteries and come in various forms, as they are widely used in portable electronics and electric vehicles because they can efficiently store and release energy through the movement of lithium ions between positive and negative electrodes. Continue reading “Latest guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers”

Guidance published on installing lithium-ion batteries to assist boaters

Posted on August 18, 2026August 18, 2026 by News Hound

New guidance for boaters about installing lithium-ion batteries

The Cruising Association (CA) and the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) have jointly released new guidance to assist boaters in evaluating lithium-ion phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) service batteries.

Drafted by the CA’s Regulatory & Technical Services Group (RATS) and the IWA’s Sustainable Boat Group, the advice addresses the shift from traditional lead-acid units to LiFePO4 chemistry. The guidance stresses that switching to LiFePO4 and safe integration requires precise system design, comprehensive planning, and potential upgrades to onboard electrical infrastructure as well as a detailed understanding of the technology. Continue reading “Guidance published on installing lithium-ion batteries to assist boaters”

The road to trouble is paved with many good intentions

Posted on June 22, 2026 by News Hound

The use of lithium-ion batteries in the maritime sector is increasing. Many see battery energy storage as the most suitable decarbonisation solution for the small craft, and pleasure sector – the road to trouble is paved with many good intentions. This is debatable, however, with the supply of sustainable fuels such as HVO that can be used in diesel engines without any conversion of the engine; but battery technologies will certainly have a role to play in a low emission future.

In this race to lower emissions, the safety challenges of lithium-ion batteries are poorly understood, or even completely ignored. Leading edge safety research and testing of lithium-ion batteries and emerging battery chemistries are revealing a huge amount of new detail about the complexity of battery failure, and about the nature of the hazards that will create new risks from marine application of these high energy batteries. Continue reading “The road to trouble is paved with many good intentions”

Toys and lithium-ion powered devices can cause devasting marine fires

Posted on June 19, 2026 by News Hound

In this article, I do not plan to address the specific issues of lithium-ion (li-ion) battery fires on electric powered boats or ships, nor will I discuss the electric vehicles that have caught fire in high profile, well-reported incidents at sea in recent years, whilst being transported on board car carrying ships. That’s a topic for yet another day!

Neither is it my aim to scare people in what I hope is a well thought out article, that articulates and reflects where we are at in our current relationship with li-ion as a significant power source. There are millions of li-ion powered devices in existence throughout the world, and the vast majority perform their function without drama or malfunctioning. But there is growing evidence now to show that li-ion batteries, for all their good points, present some significant challenges when things go wrong, especially in the maritime sector. Continue reading “Toys and lithium-ion powered devices can cause devasting marine fires”

CINS shares guidance on shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers

Posted on May 28, 2026June 1, 2026 by News Hound

The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) has published a new guidance on shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers by sea.

CINS Guidelines for Shipping Lithium-ion Cells and Batteries in Containers provides shipping companies, operators and carriers with safety guidance for the transport of lithium-ion cells and batteries, classified under UN Nos. 3480 and 3481, in Cargo Transport Units (CTUs). Continue reading “CINS shares guidance on shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers”

Latest guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers

Posted on May 18, 2026May 26, 2026 by News Hound

Guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers has been published

In response to the growing risks associated with the maritime transport and shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries, the following guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers has been published. Lithium-ion cells are the core components of batteries and come in various forms, as they are widely used in portable electronics and electric vehicles because they can efficiently store and release energy through the movement of lithium ions between positive and negative electrodes. However, due to their chemical properties, lithium-ion cells and batteries are classified as dangerous goods and must be handled with care. Released against a backdrop of rising concern, the guidance comes as battery-related incidents at sea become both more frequent and more severe. Continue reading “Latest guidance for shipping lithium-ion cells and batteries in containers”

Lithium-ion Battery Fires: What We Know So Far – edition 2 published

Posted on March 31, 2026April 14, 2026 by News Hound

Edition 2 of the lithium-ion battery fires: What we know so far guide has been published

In edition 2 of the “Lithium-ion Battery Fires: What We Know So Far”, the Maritime Professional Council of the UK (MPC) warns of the rising risks and dangers of lithium-ion battery fires to ships, boats and their crews.

The maritime industry faces increasing incidents and fires due to lithium-ion technology, particularly with the growing use of electric vehicles (EVs) and a myriad of devices powered by these batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density, making them efficient but also prone to catastrophic failures if mishandled. Continue reading “Lithium-ion Battery Fires: What We Know So Far – edition 2 published”

CIMAC and MBF second joint whitepaper “Environment for the Use of Batteries in Deep-Sea Shipping”

Posted on February 5, 2026February 5, 2026 by News Hound

CIMAC and the Maritime Battery Forum have published the second paper “Environment for the Use of Batteries in Deep-Sea Shipping”.

This paper examines the regulatory framework for battery use in deep-sea shipping, including requirements from flag states, classification societies, and industry standards. While the foundation is strong, gaps remain—especially around Continue reading “CIMAC and MBF second joint whitepaper “Environment for the Use of Batteries in Deep-Sea Shipping””

Hazards of small lithium-ion batteries on ships

Posted on January 19, 2026January 20, 2026 by News Hound

The hazards posed by small lithium-ion batteries can be devastating, says P&I club NorthStandard.

From handheld radios, cell phones, and power banks to vapes and flashlights, lithium-ion batteries are everywhere onboard vessels.

Compact and powerful, they’re essential, but when mishandled, they can turn into ticking time bombs. Continue reading “Hazards of small lithium-ion batteries on ships”

Performance of extinguishing agents against lithium-ion battery fire

Posted on January 15, 2026January 15, 2026 by News Hound

This study presents a systematic evaluation of extinguishing agents against lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), specifically examining thermal runaway propagation in small domestic system (8 kWh). Five distinct suppression methods were evaluated: water mist, encapsulator agent (water mist with proprietary encapsulator), carbonate agent (water mist with ammonium bicarbonate), mixed agent (containing boron compounds and surfactants), and liquid nitrogen.

Performed experiments revealed significant differences between suppression methods. Water mist and encapsulator agents demonstrated Continue reading “Performance of extinguishing agents against lithium-ion battery fire”

MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)

Posted on January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 by News Hound

MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has update to fire safety MGN 681 (M) and storage of small electric powered craft on yachts.

MGN 681 (M) Amendment 1 includes clarification for the functionality of storage and charging cabinets or boxes where these are used as part of the solution for the carriage of li-ion batteries used on personal vehicles. Continue reading “MCA lithium-ion battery update to fire safety MGN 681 (M)”

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