The international transportation industry has been looking carefully at the hazards inherent in transporting lithium- ion (Li-ion) batteries and goods powered by them. As has been highlighted recently in the industry press, while Li-ion battery fires are not a common occurrence, their consequences can be devastating. Continue reading “Transporting Li-ion batteries: identifying and addressing the risks”
The International Safe Containerised Cargo Organisation (CINS) has published safety guidelines for shipping lithium-ion cells in containers. Lithium-ion cells are the primary elements of a battery and can exist in various forms. Commonly used in portable electronics and electric vehicles, their defining characteristic is the ability to accumulate, store and release electrical energy through the movement of lithium ions between a positive and a negative electrode.
According to CINS, lithium-ion cells must be handled with care, as they pose several risks if damaged, Continue reading “CINS issues guidance on shipping lithium-ion cells in containers”
The report Maritime Electrification: Maritime Battery Systems and Onshore Power Supply, published by Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore in May 2025, takes a critical look at the regulatory framework for shipboard energy storage systems (ESS) and onshore power supply (OPS) solutions. At a time when lithium-ion batteries are becoming central to the electrification of the world fleet, the document points to standards that are still fragmented, often optional, and insufficiently binding. This gap could compromise crew safety and slow down the adoption of these technologies. Continue reading “Marine battery systems: are current standards enough?”
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued this safety advisory notice to inform the public and raise awareness of the risks involved in the transportation of electric vehicles (EVs) powered by installed lithium batteries that may have been damaged due to submersion in waters during extreme weather events. When transported in commerce, EVs containing these damaged batteries may present particularly significant hazards to the public, including property damage, injury, and even death. Our intention with this notice is to prevent those things from happening.
Furthermore, PHMSA wishes to remind potential shippers of EVs—including vehicle owners, salvage companies, and vehicle transport companies—that they have a responsibility to assess EVs for potential damage to their installed lithium batteries and to observe the specific requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) for both the transportation of EVs containing lithium batteries, and for the transportation of damaged and/or defective lithium batteries in commerce. Continue reading “Transportation of electric vessels containing lithium batteries”
The United States Coast Guard has published a helpful compliance resource, Lithium Battery Guide for Shippers.
The publication aims to assist shippers to safely package lithium cells and batteries for transport by all modes, including vessel shipments, with new regulatory requirements based on cell or battery configuration as well as Watt-hour (Wh) rating.
As described in the guide, the transport of lithium cells and batteries via vessel can be subject to both the domestic regulations and the International Code for the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) that may require additional actions. Continue reading “U.S.C.G. releases Lithium Battery Guide for Shippers”
With the global shift toward decarbonization, the electric vehicle (EV) market is rapidly expanding, resulting in a high volume of EVs being transported on PCTC vessels. However, EVs pose a serious fire accident compared to traditional vehicles, requiring careful management during maritime transport.
To secure safety, KR has published a report, ‘Safe Maritime Transport of Electric Vehicles on PCTCs’, outlining EV fire characteristics and providing safety recommendations based on HAZID analysis.
The classification society invited experts from various fields including several domestic PCTC shipping companies and shipyards and the National Fire Research Institute to conduct a HAZID (hazard identification) workshop for fire safety related to electric vehicles on PCTC ships. Continue reading “Korean Register releases report on safe maritime transport of EVs on PCTC Vessels”
Lithium-ion batteries are becoming ever more popular as fuel cells in electric vehicles. But what about the shipping industry?
In recent years, smaller vessels have started using lithium-ion batteries alongside traditional fuels but also as the vessel’s sole propulsion technology. Could possibly larger ocean-going vessels follow suit?
Lithium-ion batteries can be considered inert when functioning normally and do not pose the same risk of pollution as fuel oils in traditional combustion engines, however, this can change if the batteries degrade during a voyage. Continue reading “Potential damages and liabilities arising from shipping incident involving a Li-ion battery powered vessel”
The global energy transition has led to an acceleration of new and innovative technologies designed to support decarbonization efforts across the global supply chain. The maritime industry plays a fundamental part in this effort, not simply by addressing its own impact on global CO2 emissions, but also by facilitating the availability and transportation of new and innovative technologies that are designed to mitigate carbon emissions and managing the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fire. Continue reading “Managing the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires”
In a recent edition of Britannia Risk Watch, published by the Britannia P&I Club, safely transporting Lithium-ion batteries in the shipping industry is just one of a number of important topics under the microscope.
Lithium-ion batteries have gained significant attention in recent years due to their pivotal role in the global shift towards sustainability, as well as their association with certain fire risks relating to thermal runaway, self-ignition, and the risk of an explosive and toxic atmosphere.
According to Jacob Damgaard, Divisional Director, Loss Prevention Singapore, the energy storage unit typically comprises a box or Continue reading “Britannia Risk Watch publication tackles lithium-ion guidance”
Lithium-ion battery safety is in the news again. Responding to this emerging safety issue for boat owners, Nautilus Marine Insurance has interviewed a panel of independent experts for an article within the latest issue of Nautilus Marine Magazine to share their technical advice.
Commenting on the lithium-ion battery safety initiative Lyndon Turner, CEO of Nautilus Marine Insurance and Publisher of Nautilus Marine Magazine, said that “Nautilus Marine Insurance sees the safety of boat owners as our number one priority. We recognise the desire of boat owners and those in the wider marine Continue reading “Lithium-ion battery safety: A series of fires on recreational vessels have been linked to lithium-ion battery powered devices”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an investigation report into the blaze on the bridge of the crude tanker S-Trust. On 13 November 2022, a fire started on the bridge of the crude tanker S-Trust while the vessel was docked at the Genesis Port Allen Terminal in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fire teams from the vessel’s crew extinguished the fire. There were no injuries and no pollution was reported. The damage to the vessel was estimated at $3 million.
The S-Trust was a Liberian-flagged, 800-foot-long, steel-hulled liquid bulk cargo vessel. The vessel was built in 2005 and had a cargo capacity of 741,732 barrels. Continue reading “Crude tanker S-Trust fire caused by lithium-Ion battery is finding”
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has issued the Guidance on Risks Associated with the Carriage of Battery Electric Vehicles. The safety alert provides guidance to operators of domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) on risks associated with the carriage of battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) on roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ferries, and how best to deal with these risks.
As per Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements) you must conduct a risk assessment for your vessel to ensure that risks arising from the carriage of BEVs are addressed. Consideration must be given to the hazards arising from transporting BEVs Continue reading “Battery electric vehicles carriage risk guidance published by AMSA”
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