In May 2019, two fires broke out on board the Grande Europa while the vessel was off the Spanish coast. The owners’ preliminary investigations suggested that the two fires started in two new vehicles stowed on board and then spread to other vehicles.
In March 2019, a fire broke out on board the Grande America while on a voyage from Germany to Morocco. The cargo included over 2,000 new and used vehicles. The vessel subsequently sank. The owners have submitted a report to the IMO, but the findings are not at the time of writing publicly available. However, it has been reported that fire teams found sparks coming from a truck on a vehicle deck.
Industry guidance and engagement In March 2023, CINS – in
collaboration with the International Group (IG) of P&I Clubs, the TT Club and the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association - published revised guidelines for the carriage of Li-ion batteries in containers. The guidelines identify risks and prevention measures, with recommendations for all stakeholders in the supply chain to enhance safe carriage. Among other things, the guidelines cover cargo issues; container selection; cargo container packing; Li-ion battery stowage on the ship; fire detection and loss prevention.
Additionally, in March 2023, the IG, CINS and the TT Club jointly hosted an industry conference in London entitled “Lithium-ion batteries in the logistics supply chain”. This was attended by representatives from regulators, container and vehicle carriers, as well as fire investigation and fire-fighting experts among others.
In November 2022, the TT Club, the UK P&I Club and Brookes Bell issued a Lithium Batteries White Paper highlighting the safety risks of transporting Li-ion batteries. The paper includes background science on Li-ion batteries, the dangers associated with transporting them and why they arise, battery testing and correct declaration. It also reviews the applicable provisions of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and other relevant regulations.
In May 2022, EMSA published Guidance on the Carriage of Alternative Fuel Vehicles in RoRo spaces of Cargo Ships and Passenger Ships. This covers among other things: risk evaluation; stability checks; precaution against ignition; detection; and fire suppression.
In 2021, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) published a marine guidance note (MGN 653(M)) on “Electric Vehicles onboard Passenger RoRo Ferries”.
MGN 653(M) notes that, at the time of publication, there were no requirements from the IMO specific to the carriage of EVs on passenger or cargo RoRo ships.
In 2017, the UK P&I Club – in conjunction with SOLIS and Richards Hogg Lindley - published “Car Matters: Car Carriers, Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax Ship Safety – A Guide for Crew.” This covers among other things operational best practices and general safety precautions.
There are also technological developments underway. In February 2023, the Cargo Fire & Loss Innovation Initiative was launched by Safetytech Accelerator. This is a technology acceleration initiative in collaboration with Evergreen Line, HMM, Lloyd’s Register, Maersk, the Offen Group, ONE and Seaspan that is aimed at reducing cargo fires and losses overboard. The initiative is particularly focused on challenges caused by the increasing carriage of Li-ion batteries either in containers or within EVs on car carriers.
REGULATION
The relevant regulations are contained in the IMDG Code and are based on the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, adopted and adapted as
64 | ISSUE 110 | DEC 2024 | THE REPORT
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