Ocean freight carriers have been tightening regulations for the transportation of battery cargo due to a significant rise in fire incidents aboard vessels in the past 2-3 years.
This shift in tighter policies mainly affects shipments containing lithium and lithium-ion batteries, which are increasingly common in consumer electronics. The primary goal is to improve safety for both ships and their crews.
Carriers are adapting to the growing concerns over battery-powered products by introducing stricter protocols. These include more rigorous documentation and inspections for items with built-in batteries such as mobile phones, laptops, and power tools, as well as standalone batteries.
One of the key changes for shippers is the requirement for comprehensive documentation prior to booking cargo. Essential documents include the following:
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS),
- UN38.3 Test Report
- Certificate of Safe Transport by Sea.
These reports ensure the battery meets safety standards for maritime transport and have been verified by authorised institutions. Some carriers have additional specific requirements, such as limiting certifications to certain laboratories.
As a result of these tighter controls, extended booking times are being witnessed and shippers face waiting periods of up to 5 days for confirmation. Additionally, they are expected to ensure that proper documentation, packaging, and safety regulations are adhered to before shipping.
To discuss the above in further detail, please do not hesitate to contact the team at Global Freight Services.