A Brand New Cargo Ship Caught Fire, Suspected to be Caused by Lithium Batteries 突发！一艘全新货船起火！疑似锂电池引起！

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Local time on December 9th, a bulk carrier at the industrial dock of Arinaga Port on the west side of Gran Canaria Island, Spain, caught fire. The ship was loading a batch of scrap metal at the time, and the fire started in the cargo hold. According to local media reports, the crew tried to close the hatch and use the ship's fixed fire-fighting system, but the electronic hatch drive system had already been burned out, making it impossible to close the cargo hold.

On December 10th, it was reported that after two days of firefighting, the fire was finally under control. Emergency personnel covered the bulk cargo with foam to prevent re-ignition. As a precautionary measure, the port was temporarily suspended and another ship nearby was moved to another berth.

The director of the Las Palmas Maritime Management Bureau stated that the fire would not pose a serious threat to the public. An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway, but the local government suspects that the cargo self-ignited during the loading process, which is not uncommon in bulk scrap metal. Such goods are usually contaminated with flammable materials, including some that can cause fires, such as damaged lithium-ion batteries.

当地时间12月9日，位于西班牙加那利岛西侧工业码头阿里纳加港的散货船发生火灾。当时该船正在装载一批废金属，火灾是从货舱开始的。据当地媒体报道，船员试图关闭舱门并使用船上的固定消防系统，但电子舱门驱动系统已经烧毁，无法关闭货舱。

12月10日消息称，经过两天的扑救，火灾终于得到控制，急救人员用泡沫覆盖散装货物，以防止复燃。作为预防措施，该港口暂时停止运营，并将附近的另一艘船转移到另一个泊位。

拉斯帕尔马斯海事管理局局长称，大火不会对公众造成严重威胁。目前正在对起火原因进行调查，但当地政府怀疑是货物在装载过程中自燃，这种情况在散装废金属中时有发生。此类商品通常会受到易燃材料的污染，包括一些能够引发火灾的材料，如损坏的锂离子电池。

There have been several fire incidents caused by lithium batteries this year. On November 29th, at Miami Port in the United States, a container holding a vehicle exploded. Some media speculated that the explosion might have been caused by lithium batteries in electric vehicles, but this has not been officially confirmed.

On September 23rd, a container transporting lithium-ion batteries caught fire at Montreal Port in Canada, with firefighters stating that it contained about 15,000 kilograms of lithium.

On August 9th, a container ship was working at the container terminal in Beilun District, Ningbo Zhoushan Port, Zhejiang, when a dangerous goods container on board caught fire and exploded. The relevant departments preliminarily determined that the explosion included tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate and lithium batteries, with preliminary estimates of the loss amount ranging from 1.5 million to 9.5 million US dollars (approximately 10.90 million to 6900 million RMB).

On July 3rd, a container at a dock in Yantian District, Shenzhen, caught fire. Upon investigation, the fire scene destroyed lithium batteries and other goods in the container, with a burned area of about 8 square meters, no casualties, and the cause of the fire was thermal runaway of lithium batteries.

今年已产生多起因锂电池起火事件。11月29日，在美国迈阿密港，一辆汽车所在的集装箱发生燃爆，有媒体推测，爆炸可能由电动汽车里的锂电池导致，但未得到官方确认。

9月23日，加拿大蒙特利尔港码头上一个运输锂离子电池的集装箱着火，消防员称里面装有大约15000公斤锂。

8月9日，一艘集装箱船在浙江宁波舟山港北仑港区集装箱码头作业时，船上装载的危险品集装箱起火爆炸。相关部门初步判断爆炸物中包括过氧化苯甲酸叔丁酯和锂电池，初步估计损失金额介于150万-950万美元（约合人民币1089.5250万-6900.3250万元）之间。

7月3日，深圳市盐田区一码头集装箱着火，经调查，火灾现场烧毁集装箱内锂电池等货物，过火面积约8平方米，无人员伤亡，起火原因为锂电池热失控。

China is a major producer and exporter of lithium batteries, with a significant increase in export volume in recent years.

However, the maritime transportation risk of lithium batteries is relatively high. Fires, smoking, and explosions may occur during transportation. Once an accident occurs, it can easily trigger a chain reaction, leading to irreversible serious consequences and huge economic losses. The safety of its transportation must be taken seriously.

我国是锂电池生产和出口大国，出口量近年来大幅增长。

但锂电池的海运风险比较大 ，在运输时可能会发生起火、冒烟及爆炸等事故，一旦发生事故，容易引起连锁反应，造成不可逆转的严重后果和巨大的经济损失。其运输安全必须得到重视。

Hazard and Prevention of Lithium Battery Explosion Accidents

锂电池爆炸事故危害与预防

The main hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries are:

1.Fire: Lithium-ion batteries contain electrolyte, which is a flammable liquid, and spontaneous re-ignition is common;

2.Explosion: May be caused by the release of flammable vapors/gas in a confined space;

3.Thermal runaway: Rapid self-heating and ignition, which may lead to an explosion;

4.Toxic gases: The first three hazards can produce irritating, corrosive, or toxic gases.

与锂离子电池相关的主要危害：

1、火灾：锂离子电池含有电解液，是一种可燃液体，自动复燃很常见；

2、爆炸：可能由密闭空间中可燃蒸汽/气体的释放导致；

3、热失控：快速地自发热起火，可能引发爆炸；

4、有毒气体：前三种危害会产生刺激性、腐蚀性或有毒的气体。

Common causes:

1.Substandard manufacturing of battery cells/equipment;

2.Overcharging of battery cells;

3.Short circuiting and overheating;

4.Damage to battery cells or equipment.

常见原因：

1、电芯/设备制造不合格；

2、电芯过度充电；

3、短路过温；

4、电芯或设备损坏。

Ro-ro ships and car carriers are more susceptible to fire and stability issues than other types of ships, so risk management needs to be emphasized. To facilitate the transportation of cars, the internal space of these ships is not divided into separate parts like other cargo ships.

The lack of internal bulkheads can have a negative impact on fire safety. A small fire on a car or battery can quickly get out of control. Once the ship is loaded, it is not easy to re-enter the vehicle. The large amount of air on the open cargo deck can provide ready oxygen supply in the event of a fire.

Many accident investigations have shown that the causes of battery fires on these ships are either not conducting stability checks as required before sailing or inaccurate cargo information. In many cases, cargo is not adequately secured before sailing, and inadequate lashing of electric vehicles and other cargo can lead to thermal runaway and subsequent fires. For cargo ro-ro ships and vehicle carriers, it is considered to reduce risks by strengthening cargo securing and weather routing.

滚装船和汽车运输船比其他船型更容易受到火灾和稳性问题的影响，因此需要额外强调风险管理。为方便汽车的运输，这类船舶内部空间没有像其他货船那样分成单独的部分。

缺乏内部舱壁会对消防安全产生不利影响，一辆汽车或电池上的小火很快就可能失控。一旦船上装货完毕，不容易再进入车辆。开放式货舱甲板内的大量空气可在发生火灾时提供现成的氧气供应。

多项事故调查显示，这类船舶发生电池火灾原因一是在航行前未按要求进行稳性检查，二是货物信息不准确。在许多情况下，货物在航行前没有充分固定好，电动汽车等货物的绑扎不充分可能会导致热失控和随之而来的火灾。对于货物滚装船和车辆运输船，应考虑通过加强货物系固和气象航线来降低风险。

Recommended loss prevention measures:

1.Transport using the optimal state of charge (SOC) between 30% and 50% according to the manufacturer's recommendations and the length of the voyage;

2.All electric vehicles should display clear and accurate identification on the windshield, detailing the battery type (e.g., BEV, PHEV, HEV);

3.Electric vehicles with low ground clearance should be clearly marked, as they may encounter loading and unloading problems on ship lanes, inner slopes, or deck accessories;

4.All electric vehicles equipped with lithium-ion batteries must successfully pass the pressure, temperature, crush, and impact tests for lithium-ion battery transportation in Section 38.3 of the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria;

5.All electric vehicles transported on the ship must operate normally, be able to drive themselves, and safely drive with an undamaged battery system;

6.Electric vehicles should not be charged during the voyage;

7.All electric vehicles must be properly secured to prevent movement during transportation;

8.Mariners should receive enhanced training in lithium-ion battery firefighting skills;

9.The ship should be equipped with early detection systems, including watch/ fire monitoring and thermal scanners, gas detectors, heat and smoke detectors, and closed-circuit television cameras.

建议防损措施：

1、根据制造商的建议和航程的长度，使用最佳荷电状态(SOC)进行运输，范围在30%到50%之间；

2、所有电动汽车都应在挡风玻璃上显示清晰准确的标识，详细说明电池类型(例如 BEV、PHEV、HEV)；

3、离地间隙低的电动汽车应清楚标明，因为它们可能会在船舶车道、内坡或甲板附属设施遭遇装卸问题；

4、所有配备锂离子电池的电动汽车都必须成功通过联合国《试验和标准手册》第38.3小节中关于锂离子电池运输的压力、温度、挤压和冲击测试；

5、船上运输的所有电动汽车必须运转正常、能够自行驱动和安全驾驶并包含未损坏的电池系统；

6、在航行过程中不应为电动汽车充电；

7、所有电动汽车必须妥善固定，防止在运输过程中移动；

8、海员应接受锂离子电池消防技能相关的强化培训；

9、船上应配备早期探测系统，包括值班/火灾监视以及热扫描仪、气体探测器、热量及烟雾探测器和闭路电视摄像机等设备。

Export of lithium batteries and related declaration points

出口锂电池及相关申报要点

At present, lithium batteries and related products do not need to implement export commodity inspection, but they are dangerous goods and still need to have their packaging inspected for use. According to Article 17 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Import and Export Commodity Inspection: An enterprise producing dangerous export goods must apply to the same authorities for a test of the use of packagings. No permission shall be granted for the export of dangerous goods kept in the packings that have not passed a test.

For lithium battery electric vehicles (UN number 3171) and containerized lithium-ion battery systems (UN number 3536), although there are no specific packaging requirements in various international dangerous goods regulations, and there is no need to apply for dangerous packaging use identification, they should meet the corresponding safety transportation requirements according to their actual mode of transportation when exporting.

The relevant international dangerous goods regulations include the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG), Regulation concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID), Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA-DGR), and the United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria.

目前，锂电池及相关产品无需实施出口商品检验，但其属于危险货物，仍须对其包装进行使用鉴定。按照《中华人民共和国进出口商品检验法》第十七条：生产出口危险货物的企业，必须申请商检机构进行包装容器的使用鉴定。使用未经鉴定合格的包装容器的危险货物，不准出口。

对于锂电池电动车(UN编号3171)，集装箱式锂离子电池系统(UN编号3536)，虽然在各国际危规中没有对包装规范的具体要求，无需申请危包使用鉴定，但在出口时应根据其实际运输方式，满足相应安全运输要求。

相关国际危规有《国际海运危险货物规则》(IMDG)、《国际铁路运输危险货物规则》(RID)、《国际公路运输危险货物协定》(ADR)、《危险品规则》(IATA-DGR)、联合国《关于危险货物运输的建议书规章范本试验和标准手册》。

Declaration points

申报要点

Ⅰ. Export lithium battery packaging use identification declaration points

(i) Business process

Image Credit: The Internet

(ii) Required materials

1.Entry-Exit Cargo Packaging Inspection Application Form

2.Entry-Exit Cargo Packaging Performance Inspection Result Form

3.Factory Inspection Certificate

4.Export Dangerous Goods Hazard Classification Identification Report or Cargo Transportation Condition Identification Report

一、出口锂电池包装使用鉴定申报要点

(一)业务流程

图片源于网络

(二)所需材料

1、《出入境货物包装检验申请单》

2、《出入境货物包装性能检验结果单》

3、《厂检合格单》

4、《出口危险货物危险特性分类鉴别报告》或《货物运输条件鉴定报告书》

Ⅱ. Export lithium battery product customs declaration points

1.In the “Cargo Attribute” section, select 19 normal and 33 non-hazardous chemicals, and in the “Dangerous Goods Information”: non-dangerous goods, do not tick. Fill in the correct UN number, hazard category, packaging category, and packaging UN mark.

2.For the export of dangerous goods, upload the Use Identification Result Form with the accompanying documents.

3.Export lithium battery products do not require an electronic ledger number.

Image Credit: The Internet

二、出口锂电池产品报关申报要点

1、在“货物属性”选填19正常和33非危险化学品，“危险货物信息”：非危险货物，不打勾。填写正确的UN编号、危险类别、包装类别、包装UN标记。

2、出口危险货物在随附单证上传《使用鉴定结果单》。

3、出口锂电池产品不需要电子底账号。

图片源于网络

With the continuous growth of global demand for lithium batteries, the fire risk of lithium batteries in ship transportation is becoming more and more prominent. To meet this challenge, the industry must adopt stricter preventive measures and emergency response strategies. When exporting lithium batteries and related products, it is necessary to comply with relevant international dangerous goods regulations and declaration points, ensuring the use identification of packaging containers and correctly declaring cargo attributes and dangerous goods information. These measures are crucial for preventing fires and reducing losses. They not only protect the safety of crew and cargo but also maintain the stability of the global supply chain.

随着全球对锂电池需求的不断增长，其在船舶运输中的火灾风险也日益凸显。为了应对这一挑战，行业必须采取更加严格的预防措施和应急响应策略。在出口锂电池及相关产品时，必须遵守相关的国际危规和申报要点，确保包装容器的使用鉴定，以及正确申报货物属性和危险货物信息。这些措施对于预防火灾和减少损失至关重要，它们不仅保护了船员和货物的安全，也维护了全球供应链的稳定。

注：本文所提及的货币汇率为2024年12月12日当日汇率。

Note:The currency exchange rates mentioned in this article are as of December 12, 2024.