Britannia Risk Watch publication tackles lithium-ion guidance

Britannia Risk Watch publication tackles lithium ion batteries
Britannia Risk Watch publication tackles lithium-ion guidance

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: A series of fires on recreational vessels have been linked to lithium-ion battery powered devices

Lithium-ion battery safety is in the news following a spate of fires.
Lithium-ion battery safety is in the news following a spate of fires.

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”

Crude tanker S-Trust fire caused by lithium-Ion battery is finding

Fire on crude tanker S-Trust caused by lithium-Ion battery thermal runaway
Fire on crude tanker S-Trust caused by lithium-Ion battery thermal runaway

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”

Battery electric vehicles carriage risk guidance published by AMSA

new guidance on the risks associated with the carriage of battery electric vehicles
new guidance on the risks associated with the carriage of battery electric vehicles

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”

Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents

Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents
Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents

Joint Hull Committee to issue a new clause covering the use of electronically driven equipment rated at above 100Wh. In recent years there has been a growing number of marine incidents involving lithium battery fires, resulting in the total losses of yachts, superyachts and other craft.

The Joint Hull Committee, founded in 1910, is the oldest Joint Committee. It comprises underwriting representatives from both the Lloyd’s and International Underwriting Association (IUA) company markets. It represents the interests of those who write marine hull business in the London market and it works through a number of sub-committees, principally Navigating Limits and Risk Assessment. Continue reading “Joint Hull Committee issues new clause in wake of lithium battery incidents”

Chubb launches Lloyd’s consortium to address lithium battery risk

A new initiative was rolled out and launched in September by Chubb. A new Lloyd’s of London consortium has been created (which Chubb will lead) that is designed to provide insurance coverage for risks associated with the transit and storage of lithium batteries.

The consortium was created to address a lack of capacity in the marine cargo market for providing lithium battery transit and stock insurance. It provides a one-stop solution with limits up to $50 million for risk types associated with lithium batteries including transit, stock throughput, standalone stock and warehouse legal liability, and will include excess stock and part orders. Continue reading “Chubb launches Lloyd’s consortium to address lithium battery risk”

Fire not the only danger with lithium-ion batteries

Devastating consequences of rapidly spreading, and often challenging to extinguish fires involving the lithium-ion batteries particularly in electric vehicles (EV) on board ships, and other parts of the supply chain have been well-documented in recent months. There is however far less awareness of the highly toxic combustion products that are released and their respective impact to the health and wellbeing of those exposed to the gases.

Based on the evidence of past fires the time between the initiation of a failed battery igniting to a discharge of toxic vapour can be measured in seconds rather than minutes. This is due to a process known as thermal runaway. Continue reading “Fire not the only danger with lithium-ion batteries”

IUMI publishes “Best practice & recommendations for the safe carriage of electric vehicles”

There are growing concerns within the shipping community, including marine underwriters, about fires breaking out on car carriers and ro-ros with the assertion that many of these fires are attributable to electric vehicles. In response, the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has researched these claims and published recommendations on the safe carriage of electric vehicles (EVs).

Lars Lange, IUMI Secretary General, explains:
“Our paper draws on a body of scientific research which demonstrates that fires in battery EVs are not more dangerous than fires in conventional vehicles, nor are they more frequent. Although statistics continue to be gathered, they currently estimate that, in general, there are fewer fires from EVs compared with fires from conventional vehicles when driven over the same distance.” Continue reading “IUMI publishes “Best practice & recommendations for the safe carriage of electric vehicles””

ClassNK releases guidelines on the safe transportation of electric vehicles

In a bid to bolster the safety of maritime transportation of electric vehicles (EV) at a time of major concern for the shipping industry, ClassNK has unveiled a set of new guidelines and measures.

ClassNK has developed the Guidelines for the Safe Transportation of electric vehicles, which describes the characteristics of EV fires and provides guidance on how to respond, built upon dialogue with experts, operators, manufacturers, and other stakeholders. Continue reading “ClassNK releases guidelines on the safe transportation of electric vehicles”

Lithium-ion battery fires on vessels remain one of the biggest safety issues

Allianz has highlighted that battery fires on vessels remain one of the biggest safety issues facing the shipping industry. There have been a number of serious fire incidents in recent years where Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have been reported as the source of, or contributing to fires on vessels. Allianz experts Capt. Rahul Khanna, Captain Randy Lund and Captain Anastasios Leonburg, share their thoughts on how electric vessels may impact safety onboard.

Decarbonization and electrification are increasing the number of shipping goods that contain Li-ion batteries, from electric vehicles (EVs) Continue reading “Lithium-ion battery fires on vessels remain one of the biggest safety issues”

Safety Advisory Notice: Transportation of electric vehicles containing lithium batteries damaged by extreme weather events

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. Continue reading “Safety Advisory Notice: Transportation of electric vehicles containing lithium batteries damaged by extreme weather events”

De-risking the carriage of lithium-ion batteries

At the heart of efforts to draw attention to the hazards inherent in transporting lithium-ion batteries, specialist freight insurer TT Club now urges debate leading to a balanced, yet realistic awareness of the dangers, and a united approach to enhancing their safe carriage. Improved regulatory clarity is required and auto manufacturers need to address transport safety issues more thoroughly.

Rapid development of battery technology and the uncertainties Continue reading “De-risking the carriage of lithium-ion batteries”

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