Simon Hodgkinson, Head of Loss Prevention at West P&I, believes special courses are a must to protect seafarers’ lives.
Transporting potentially explosive lithium-ion batteries by ship is a dangerous business, as incidents in recent years have shown. A United States Coast Guard investigation into a shipping container that caught fire on a US freeway in 2021 traced the fire to a charge of lithium-ion batteries. The cargo ignited en route to the port of Virginia, where it was to be shipped to China aboard a container ship.
The dangers of transporting lithium-ion batteries on ships were discussed in an Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty report ranking fire and explosion as leading cause of marine insurance claims by value from 2017 to 2021. The study, published in November 2022, also shows the growing risk of fire from lithium-ion batteries not being stored, properly handled or transported.
Crews do not have a standard approach to suppressing a fire starting from a lithium-ion battery
In damaged lithium-ion batteries, individual cells tend to overheat, emitting flammable and toxic gases and affecting surrounding cells as part of an explosive chain reaction known as thermal runaway. While such hazards have been widely reported, little is said in the shipping industry about the inconsistent training methods for dealing with fires caused by lithium-ion batteries on board ships.
The biggest concern is that firefighting crews do not have a standard approach to suppressing a fire starting from a lithium-ion battery. Some firefighters recommend throwing a blanket over the fire, while others suggest submerging a burning electric vehicle in a giant tank of water.
The lack of consensus on how to deal with such fires means few, if any, STCW firefighting training programs cover lithium-ion batteries. This creates a knowledge gap that makes it incredibly difficult to know what type of training seafarers should receive.
It also endangers the lives of crew members – many of whom have limited knowledge of thermal runaway and the warning signs before an electric vehicle battery explodes or ignites. Without training, seafarers cannot be expected to attempt to prevent damaged lithium-ion cells from setting off a thermal chain reaction that could start an electric vehicle fire large enough to require 150,000 liters of water to extinguish.
In the short term, the existing STCW firefighting courses are to be supplemented with modules that deal with the dangers of lithium-ion batteries. Then we need specific training programs set up worldwide and conducted by experts who can teach seafarers how to deal with this potentially life-threatening hazard.
The first challenge is to determine what kind of training seafarers need. Next is to ensure ships have the correct equipment on board to handle a lithium ion battery fire according to what they have been taught. For example, crew members can learn that the best approach to dealing with a burning electric vehicle is to submerge it in a tank of water. But what’s the point of teaching them to do this if the ship lacks the proper equipment or machinery to do so safely?
Another problem is that electric vehicles are loaded onto carriers in the same way as internal combustion engine cars. Gasoline or diesel cars that ignite are relatively easy to deal with because each tank contains a small amount of fuel that burns out quickly. In electric vehicles, each lithium-ion battery needs around 50% charge to ensure that it does not run out during transport.
Charging electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries, each of which contains a significant amount of energy, like standard cars, is a recipe for potential disaster. When a battery ignites, it can set off a chain reaction and start a huge fire that sailors have difficulty containing. How electric vehicles are loaded onto car transporters and whether crew members have enough space around burning vehicles to contain the fire is something that experts have to consider during training courses.
A definitive solution to dealing with lithium-ion batteries that overheat, catch fire, or explode will likely come from chemical experts or firefighters. Until then, we advise ship owners and operators to invest in the latest fire protection systems, such as infrared cameras and thermal sensors, which can detect problems before thermal runaway occurs. By installing advanced detection systems, shipping companies can protect the lives of seafarers who lack the knowledge or training to deal with fires caused by highly volatile lithium-ion batteries.
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Who is the cheapest shipping provider?
Is UPS or USPS cheaper? UPS is often more expensive than USPS due to fees and surcharges, especially when it comes to shipping smaller packages. In general, USPS offers much better rates when shipping smaller packages weighing less than two pounds. UPS is usually a better choice when shipping larger, heavier packages as it offers excellent value for money.
Is FedEx or USPS cheaper? For shipping packages under two pounds, USPS is usually cheaper than FedEx. When it comes to shipping packages over two pounds, FedEx can be more cost effective than USPS and offer cheaper rates. However, if you can pack your item in a small, medium, or large flat rate shipping box, USPS is cheaper than FedEx.
Is UPS or FedEx cheaper? Deciding which one is best for your business depends only on your business needs. UPS offers lower shipping rates, but FedEx gets your packages delivered faster and with just-in-time services. Also, if you look at the ACSI scores, FedEx has had a higher score over the past two years.
Who are the 9 major shipping companies?
This can reduce or even outweigh potential returns.
- #1 A.P. Møller – Maersk A/S (AMKBY)
- #2 Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NPNYY)
- #3 COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co.Ltd. …
- #4 Mitsui OSK Line GmbH …
- #5 Hapag-Lloyd AG (HPGLY)
- #6 Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (KAIKY)
- #7 Orient Overseas International Ltd. (OROVF)
- #8 Kirby Corp.
What is the number 1 shipping company?
What is the name of shipping company in France?
DPD. DPD France (subsidiary DPDgroup, the second largest parcel delivery network in Europe) is a parcel delivery service founded in 1999 whose main activity is shipping in Europe.
What do you call a shipping company? A shipping agency or shipping agent is the nominated person or agency responsible for handling shipments and cargo and the general interests of their customers in ports and ports worldwide on behalf of shipowners, managers and charterers.
What are the 3 shipping alliances?
There are only a few alliances in container shipping. The most important alliances are the 2M Alliance, the Ocean Alliance and THE Alliance. They have a market share of 75% of the total container volume handled by sea. And these alliances control over 96% of east-west container capacity.
How many ocean alliances are there? There are currently three ocean alliances, made up of shipping companies coming together to provide global solutions for shared resources. These are 2M, The Ocean Alliance and THE Alliance respectively. These three alliances were formed in 2017 by eight of the world’s largest airlines.
Which airlines are in the alliance? THE alliance consists of Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, HMM and YML. This alliance has recently distinguished itself by offering major US Gulf port service on transatlantic routes. All member east-west services are part of the alliance.
What alliance is HMM in? Jae-hoon Bae, President and CEO of HMM, celebrated the airline’s entry into the big shipper alliance. He said: “To be a full member of THE Alliance makes us very proud.
How many shipping alliances are there?
Three major alliances dominate the world of global trade today: The Transport High Efficiency Alliance or “THE Alliance” ranks first, followed by the “Ocean Alliance” and the “2M Alliance”.
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