A lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery system recently caught fire onboard an inspected passenger ship after its loosely crimped lugs overheated. Although no one was hurt and the damage to the vessel was minimal, the incident has raised serious safety concerns related to Li-ion battery installations on commercial vessels.
The U.S. Coast Guard highlighted that all integrated Li-ion battery systems used for ship propulsion and electrical power must go through proper engineering plan reviews. These systems must also include safety features, be tested at the time of installation, undergo regular inspections, and be maintained by trained mariners, regardless of the battery bank’s size or use.
Risks Linked to Li-ion Battery Use
Li-ion batteries are widely used on vessels due to their high energy density, which allows ships to travel longer distances and enables full electrification. But the higher the energy density, the higher the risk. If a fire starts, it tends to burn more intensely and last
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