Stricter Shipping Regulations for Battery Cargo
Ocean freight carriers are tightening regulations for transporting battery cargo by sea following a significant rise in fire incidents aboard vessels over the past few years.
These new measures primarily affect shipments containing lithium or lithium-ion batteries and aim to enhance safety for both ships and crews.
As concerns about battery-powered products grow, carriers are adjusting to better manage these risks. The new protocols require stricter documentation and more thorough inspections for items with built-in batteries, such as mobile devices, laptops, and power tools, as well as for standalone batteries.
Key updates for shippers include the need to provide detailed documentation before booking cargo. Essential documents now include:
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): A report outlining the battery’s properties and handling requirements.
UN38.3 Test Report: A certificate confirming the battery has passed safety tests for maritime transport.
Certificate of Safe Transport by Sea: An official document from authorized institutions confirming the battery meets international sea safety standards.
Some carriers have added specific requirements, such as restricting the acceptance of certifications from only certain laboratories.
These stricter protocols have led to longer booking times, with carriers now taking up to five days to confirm bookings. Shippers now bear more responsibility to ensure proper documentation, packaging, and compliance with safety regulations.
For any questions or assistance with dangerous goods compliance, please contact the team at Killick Martin.
