With the growing popularity of electric vehicles and battery-powered goods, the safety of lithium batteries in transport has sparked global concern. To address this challenge, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has released a comprehensive lithium battery shipping guide that focuses on the requirements for transporting lithium batteries across all modes of transport, including ocean freight.

The guide identifies new regulatory requirements for transporting lithium batteries and cells, covering both domestic regulations and International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) codes. Specific rules will determine the scope of application according to the transport route, aiming to further reduce the risks in the transport of lithium batteries.

The urgency of this issue has been underscored by recent accidents in which a shipment of lithium-ion batteries misdeclared as ‘computer parts’ caught fire en route to the Port of Virginia in 2022. Additionally, the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Alert 01-23 noted that saltwater-damaged electric vehicles were at high risk of being transported after Hurricane Ian because saltwater exposure can trigger dangerous chemical reactions in lithium-ion batteries.

The release of this PHMSA guideline sets stricter norms for lithium battery transport and reminds industry practitioners to comply with relevant safety rules. With the widespread use of lithium batteries, the global maritime industry will face greater safety and regulatory challenges. In the future, whether the transport of electric vehicles and battery products will be subject to comprehensively strengthened control will be the focus of industry attention.