(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) Transporting lithium batteries by sea presents significant safety challenges due to their inherent volatility. In containerized shipping environments, undetected issues such as battery defects, improper handling, or inadequate stowage can escalate into dangerous situations, posing a serious threat to vessel integrity and crew safety.
Incidents involving lithium-ion batteries have led to major fires, causing extensive damage to cargo and disruptions in global supply chains. As demand for lithium batteries increases, so does the need for stringent regulatory oversight and comprehensive safety protocols.
Approval processes for the maritime transportation of lithium batteries can extend over several days or even weeks, contributing to the reluctance of shipping lines to accept such cargo.
To mitigate associated risks, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a detailed guidance document addressing lithium battery shipments across all transportation modes, including sea freight.
Published on November 21, 2024, the guide enforces adherence to both domestic regulations and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
Lithium-ion batteries pose significant hazards, including overheating, combustion, and explosion—often driven by thermal runaway—if mishandled or improperly stored. Factors contributing to battery-related incidents include substandard battery quality, overcharging, and physical damage to cells or devices.
To ensure safe stowage and segregation aboard vessels, proper declaration of lithium batteries is mandatory. Failure to accurately declare such shipments may lead to catastrophic onboard fires.
You can download below the Guide from the US Department of Transport:
Source: US-DOT
Find more Guidance and Loss Prevention papers on Lithium-Ion batteries HERE
