Shipping Council Pushes for Stricter Lithium Battery Transport Rules

The World Shipping Council (WSC) is urging governments to close a regulatory loophole that allows large quantities of small lithium-ion batteries to be shipped without being classified as dangerous goods.

The issue arises from the SP188 exemption, which permits individual devices with small batteries, like smartphones and laptops, to be transported without stringent regulations. However, this exemption is being exploited to ship entire containers filled with thousands of lithium batteries, bypassing safety protocols.

The SP188 Exemption and Its Consequences

The SP188 exemption was intended to simplify the transport of individual devices with small batteries. The WSC argues that this has created a safety gap, allowing large quantities of lithium batteries to be shipped without proper declaration or safety measures.

According to WSC president and CEO Joe Kramek, “Right now, a container can be packed with thousands of lithium batteries and still travel without being declared as dangerous goods.”

A Proposal for Change

In July, a proposal was submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) subcommittee on the Carriage of Cargoes and Containers by Germany, Marshall Islands, The Netherlands, Singapore, and Thailand to address this issue.

Backed by industry groups including Bimco, ICS, ICHCA, ITF, IUMI, and the WSC, the proposal calls for updated regulations, drawing from SP963 of the IMDG Code.

This rule sets maximum weight limits for containers with dangerous goods, triggering hazard communications and maritime-specific provisions for stowage, handling, and segregation. The proposal suggests applying similar thresholds to containers carrying large quantities of small lithium-ion batteries.

The 2020 incident involving the X-Press Godavari, a 920 teu vessel, illustrates the risks of shipping large quantities of lithium-ion batteries without proper regulations.

A container with over 7,000 kg of lithium-ion batteries caught fire, burning for 42 hours despite firefighting efforts. The crew was unaware of the container’s contents for over an hour and a half, as the shipper had provided a “Certificate for Safe Transport” complying with SP188 regulations.

The incident report concluded that even a single battery catching fire could have caused a catastrophic blaze, highlighting the need for better visibility and risk management of such cargoes.

The Need for Regulatory Change

The WSC contends that the current regulations fail to protect shippers, cargo, the environment, and crew members. As battery shipments grow, the need for improved regulations becomes more pressing.

A potential regulatory update could set a threshold for the total weight or watt-hour capacity of lithium-ion batteries in a container, triggering hazard communications and safety measures. This would help prevent incidents like the X-Press Godavari fire and ensure safer transport of these materials.

The proposal, if adopted, would establish clear thresholds for when containers carrying small lithium-ion batteries must be declared as dangerous goods. This change would require shippers to provide detailed information about the contents of their containers, enabling better risk assessment and management.

The X-Press Godavari incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate regulations.

In the meantime, the WSC continues to advocate for greater awareness of the risks posed by unregulated lithium battery shipments. They stress that addressing this issue is not just a matter of compliance but a critical step in safeguarding lives, property, and the environment.

The growing reliance on lithium-ion batteries in sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and consumer electronics shows the urgency of this regulatory update. As the demand for these batteries increases, so too does the need for robust safety measures.