The shipping industry is tightening protocols for transporting battery-powered goods by sea in response to recent fire incidents on vessels.

This new policy, which directly impacts shipments containing lithium or lithium-ion batteries, aims to boost safety for both cargo and personnel.

As concerns over the safety of shipping battery-powered items grow, ocean freight carriers are adjusting to these increased risks. The focus is on improving safety standards, and now stricter documentation and more thorough inspections are required for items like mobile phones, laptops, tablets, power tools, small appliances, e-bikes, and standalone batteries.

Key Requirements for Shippers

Shippers must now provide a complete set of documents before booking shipments that include battery-powered products. These documents include:

  • Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): A detailed report on the battery’s properties and safe handling instructions.

  • UN38.3 Test Report: A document confirming the battery has passed safety tests under UN guidelines, ensuring it’s fit for sea transport.

  • Certificate of Safe Transport by Sea: A certification from an authorised laboratory confirming the battery meets international sea transportation safety standards.

Some carriers have added additional regulations. For instance, one has specified that the Certificate of Safe Transport must come from a select group of laboratories, complicating the process further.

With these new procedures in place, booking battery shipments is expected to take longer. Many carriers have noted that the added scrutiny has caused delays in processing, with booking confirmations now taking 3-5 working days, potentially extending lead times by a week or more.

As a result of these changes, shippers now bear greater responsibility for ensuring accurate documentation, proper packaging, and adherence to safety regulations, with a focus on preventing fire or explosion risks.

Westbound have the necessary experience to assist navigating these changes and ensuring shipments comply with all current and new regulations. If you require further information on the above, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

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