On this note, should further investigation also be given into Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for ship’s crew? If crew are on deck awaiting rescue or whilst accessing the lifeboats, should a full-face mask be worn, such as the PPE that are being used by personnel attending in the aftermath of responding to a Li-ion fire? Face masks could be held on the bridge or within the accommodation of ships for personnel to use in the event of evacuation from a ship that is on fire.
As well as the toxic and flammable gases emitted during thermal runaway, the dust and other matter created by the fire can also be toxic and harmful.
Another challenge is the potential that the firefighting water could short circuit batteries in stowage. During our attendance, when moving cars that had been flooded with firefighting water, a short circuit took place as the car was being removed from the vessel.
BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (BESS)
More vessels are starting to ship BESS or ‘Megapacks’ which can present additional risks. This type of cargo is typically high value with a high energy density.
Risk Mitigation Strategies and Future Directions TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS
Li-ion battery research is still a growing research area. With new designs and innovation, the industry is always looking at ways to improve battery quality, safety and performance and durability. With this, numerous modifications are currently being researched; some examples are provided below:
• Electrolyte modifications (e.g., solid-state,
non-flammable electrolytes).
• Modification of other battery components (e.g., separator, electrode coatings).
• Battery pack level innovations (improved cooling and pressure relief systems).
VESSEL DESIGN RESEARCH
Vessel design is also currently being reconsidered. Purpose built vessels for shipping EVs and Li-ion batteries are in discussion. One potential design is to increase the number of subdivisions and compartments, as there is more chance to isolate a potential fire or incident within these smaller compartments.
FIRE DETECTION
Stowage needs to be considered carefully. Tight stowage complicates isolation during incidents, as access can be restricted and the fire can propagate between units. However, if not stowed as a block stow, the units need to be sufficiently secured individually for a sea passage.
Additionally, manufacturer guidance may not always be compatible with maritime conditions. The stowage and securing guidance for Megapacks (Tesla) for instance, states that there should be no more than 5 degrees tilt. This cannot be guaranteed on a vessel at sea.
2 DOI: 10.1007/s10694-022-01278-3 THE REPORT | SEP 2025 | ISSUE 113 | 69
Additionally, fire detection systems are being adapted and modified. For instance, the Li-ion Tamer detects catastrophic battery failures early. The Li-ion Tamer is a plug-and-play rack system that improves safety by sensing the off-gassing that precedes thermal runaway battery failures much earlier than smoke, or traditional gas detection systems
Various working groups and organisations are looking into options for tackling EV fires. Industry groups are developing documents designed to assist industry and ships’ crews in how to deal with Li-ion fires, with several white papers being produced. Technology is constantly evolving; and continuous monitoring of developments is required.
CONCLUSION
The maritime industry must adapt rapidly to the evolving risks posed by Li-ion batteries and EVs. Through a combination of scientific innovation, vessel design, and operational preparedness, we can navigate these challenges and ensure safer seas.
would. Li-ion Tamers work at the second stage of battery failure: the interval between off-gas generation and smoke to stop thermal runaway before it gets started.
The most effective firefighting medium for Li-ion fires is still being investigated. The figure below2 shows a range of fire fighting agents and how effective they are against Li- ion batteries. Generally, firefighting mediums work by isolating, smothering, cooling, or chemically suppressing fires. One factor to consider for Li-ion battery fires is the re-ignition aspect; even after cooling to room temperature, the probability of re-ignition still exists. The potential environmental impacts of the firefighting agent post-fire must also be considered.
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