Carriers are now strictly enforcing restrictions in relation to the shipment of Lithium batteries, whether dangerous goods or under special provisions, lithium batteries cannot be loaded in the same container with hazardous cargo.

This will have a significant impact on consolidation bookings and what we are able to load and therefore means, on some services, we will only be able to accept Lithium Batteries on an “as and when” basis only.

As of the 1st October 2024 there will be an applicable surcharge for all Lithium Batteries due to the increasing issues handling them and restrictions caused to other cargo as a result of accepting these bookings.

Lithium, particularly in the form of lithium batteries, can be hazardous to ship due to several risks associated with their chemical properties, here are the main reasons:

Fire Risk:  Lithium is highly reactive and can catch fire if damaged, short-circuited, or exposed to high temperatures. Lithium batteries, if punctured or overheated, can enter “thermal runaway,” where the heat generated causes the battery to ignite or explode.

Chemical Reactivity:  Lithium reacts vigorously with water, releasing hydrogen gas, which is highly flammable. If exposed to moisture during transit, there is a risk of a dangerous reaction.

Regulatory Restrictions:  Due to these safety hazards, lithium batteries and lithium metal are classified as dangerous goods under international shipping regulations. This classification means they must be packed, labelled, and handled according to strict guidelines to minimise the risk of accidents.

Short Circuits:  If not packaged properly, lithium batteries can come into contact with metal objects or other batteries, leading to short circuits that could spark fires.

Due to these hazards, shipping lithium batteries requires special packaging, labelling, and now restrictions on their mode of transport especially if other forms of hazardous goods are being shipped as consolidated cargo within the same container.

If you have any questions regarding this update, please contact the team and we will be happy to assist.

If you have any questions regarding the above, then Westbound are here to help. So, please do not hesitate to contact us.