LiBs batteries are increasingly used in the marine industry. Their advantages are many: compact and cheap, with higher energy density, they can help to cut down sharply on fossil fuel use. Problems are rare, but when things go wrong the results have a high impact and take up emergency resources for a considerable time which has spawned the phrase: Lithium batteries don’t commit suicide. They’re murdered. Continue reading “Lithium batteries don’t commit suicide. They’re murdered”
Electrification of the global economy continues to bear risks for the shipping industry and supply chains, according to Allianz Commercial’s latest Safety and Shipping Review.
Electrification of the global economy is driving huge demand for lithium-ion batteries, from electric cars and e-bikes to industrial scale battery storage systems. The global battery market is forecast to reach US$322bn by 2030, more than double its value in 2024, driven by growing demand for electric vehicles and battery storage systems required to support the transition to renewable energy. Continue reading “Electrification continues to bear risks for the shipping industry”
Mark shares some essential lithium-ion battery safety advice and guidance to give a better understanding of the risks associated with this technology. Giving his expert’s guide to lithium-ion battery fire prevention.
Lithium-ion battery powered devices don’t pose an increased risk if devices are maintained in good working condition and people follow some basic rules. From a fire service perspective, the vast majority of lithium-ion battery fires we’ve seen have been caused by human error.
Many of these simple rules that should be followed are almost all related to battery charging. Ensure that the charger you use to charge your particular device is the specific charger that’s recommended by the manufacturer. If you buy a quality product from a reputable retailer, you can be confident that the correct charger will be supplied with that product. However, if you buy a discount replacement charger online you need to be very aware where that product is coming from. Continue reading “An expert’s guide to lithium-ion battery fire prevention”
ITOPF has studied the potential damage and liabilities arising from a shipping incidents involving Li-ion battery powered vessels.
In its “Fate, Behaviour, Potential Damage & Liabilities Arising from a Shipping Incident Involving a Li-ion Battery Powered Vessel” report, at least half of existing vessels with Li-ion batteries utilise the technology as part of a hybrid system paired with a traditional combustion engine using conventional fuels (or possibly biofuels). Continue reading “Consequences of incidents involving Li-ion battery powered vessels”
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.
It has been reported by a major insurer in its 2023 Safety and Shipping Review that battery fires on vessels remain one of the biggest safety concerns Continue reading “Transporting Li-ion batteries: identifying and addressing the risks”
The International Safe Containerised Cargo Organisation (CINS) has published safety guidance on 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 Transportation of electric vessels containing 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. 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 (li-on) 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 Li-on batteries alongside traditional fuels but also as the vessel’s sole propulsion technology. Could possibly larger ocean-going vessels follow suit? As there have been an increase in damages involving Li-on battery powered vessels.
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 involving a Li-ion battery powered vessels”
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”
Instagram Posts from the IIMS @iimsmarine