SAFE T Y
Briefings
Surge in EV transportation exposes gaps in maritime safety rules procurement
Industry experts have said the rapid rise in EV (electric vehicle) transportation exposes gaps in maritime safety rules, says Steam Marine Technical. High-profile shipboard fires involving EVs, such as those on the Felicity Ace, Morning Midas and the Freemantle Highway, have highlighted the dangers and significant risks. While lithium-ion battery fires and thermal runaway events aren’t always the initial cause, they significantly escalate onboard fires when EVs are involved, yet current International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations don’t adequately address this risk. Whilst the IMO develops updated guidelines, comprehensive regulations specific to EV transport aren’t expected until at least 2028.
In the meantime, shipping companies are moving ahead on their own. Many are installing specialised fire suppression systems, boosting crew training, and working collaboratively to share best practices.
At a seminar in late 2025 hosted by Stream Marine Technical, John Garner, Managing Director of JG Maritime Solutions and Chairman of the Interferry Regulatory Committee said, “The challenge lies in bridging the gap through proactive compliance, operational readiness, and crew competency. We’re seeing companies take the initiative, but it shouldn’t take a decade for regulations to catch up.”
“Training is absolutely key,” said Craig Smith, Expert Consultant and Instructor at Stream Marine Technical. “Crews need to spot early signs of battery fires and use the latest suppression technology. There’s no silver bullet, but scenario- based drills and new procedures are already making a real impact.”
With regulation lagging behind technology, the message from experts is clear: stay alert, stay prepared, and help shape the future of maritime safety before the next crisis hits.
Photo credit: Walter Pless, Marine Traffic Gaschem Homer blackout due to generator issue in Port of Brisbane
The gas tanker had just left its berth at the Port of Brisbane when it lost propulsion for two minutes as two of its three electrical generators were not properly configured causing the Gaschem Homer blackout, according to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) final report.
What the ATSB found The ATSB found that, during departure preparations, the crew had forgotten to switch two of the ship’s three generators to automatic mode. As a result, the ship’s power management system was unable to automatically distribute electrical load across all generators, restricting generating capacity to only one generator. The increased power demand when the bow thruster was operated during departure manoeuvring could not be supported by the single generator and it tripped on overload, causing the blackout.
The investigation also identified a safety issue relating to the shipboard safety management system, which had not identified operational risks associated with Gaschem Homer’s electrical installations and implemented effective controls. Procedures were generic and non-informative and there were no other controls in place to prevent such operational lapses resulting in a power failure.
Safety message
This incident highlights the importance of ensuring all risks associated with shipboard operations and critical equipment are identified, assessed and effectively controlled. The safety management system should encompass up-to-date and useable ship-specific procedures, as well as any additional technical controls if procedural barriers alone are insufficient to mitigate risk.
Download the full report at
https://bit.ly/3Nx2zLo. THE REPORT | MAR 2026 | ISSUE 115 | 31
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