Fire and explosion risks due to Lithium-ion batteries are increasing and are impacting supply chains

Details Published: Thursday, 01 September 2022 08:34 Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are increasingly impacting shipping and supply chain safety as demonstrated by a number of fires on vessels such as roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) car carriers and container ships. Given the many difficulties involving in suppressing such incidents, particularly at sea, focusing on loss prevention measures is crucial, whether batteries are transported within electric vehicles (EVs) or as standalone cargo, according to a new report from marine insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS).The report ‘Lithium-ion batteries: Fire risks and loss prevention measures in shipping’ highlights four main hazards: fire (Li-ion batteries contain electrolyte, an ignitable liquid); explosion (resulting from the release of ignitable vapor/gases in a confined space); thermal runaway (a rapid self-heating fire…

Read more…