[Ele]

Shipowners urged to protect vessels against electric-car fires
Exports of lithium ion-based products increase safety risks and pose ‘huge problem’ for shipping, says IMO

 

Recent fires on board ships carrying electric cars have prompted a rush to boost the protection of vessels, with a regulatory official warning that growing exports of battery powered vehicles pose a significant safety risk. Heike Deggim, head of safety at the UN’s International Maritime Organization, said member states would draw up new rules next spring for shipping groups that transport vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries.

Like many others

I Saw this coming a mile off

As an EV driver myself I am simply posting this to encorage debate

My own opinion based on the limited available knowledge is that EVs when used/driven/loaded onto ramps in a proper manner are less prone to catch fire than an ICE vehicle imo

Appreciate if my whole post is read in full before commenting as I have noticed a few members skip through posts and jump into attack mode when the words EV/Fires are simply mentioned

The link below touches on Shipowners urged to protect vessels against electric-car fires
Exports of lithium ion-based products increase safety risks and pose ‘huge problem’ for shipping, says IMO

It seems that the transportation of ALL types of loaded vehicles are to be looked at

Remembering all types of vehicles will be transported on the same ship

These vehicles can be and are often multi fuel vehicles some road worthy others not all on the same ship

My understanding of the problem is limited and is as follows

Firstly many of the ships loading ramps are not all ideal for EV loading

Angle of ramp  (ex) the ships that have a sideways multi loading ramp system

Time is money when a ship is to be unloaded/loaded and turned around

Speed of process is maximised

But by all accounts when EVs are loaded onto the ship at the same speed as an EV there is concern that the EV could bottom out on particular ramps and could lead to a fire after loading

This is one of many other unconnected areas to be looked at Im sure

Another thing is routine disconnection of ICE batteries ( not always done due to peer pressure when trying to meet a ships depature deadline

Marine firefighters onboard are trained to a certain extent but lack everyday experience

Experience that is missing but much needed if/when things kick off

Ships future design will be another focus when needing to tackle a fire

I have posted before that EVs are less likely to catch fire by themseles than an(ICEV)

imo its when  (various situations)EVs are in a fires presence even through no fault then things may well become ugly quite quickly depending on the circumstances

Ships and crews will now be under a strong spotlight for sure

Constructive thoughts?

 

https://www.ft.com/content/e3e72d21-3292-4b0c-b498-66ea15ae95d8

 

 

Topic

[kezo]

The simplist way, if it is indeed an issue, is to use fire blankets used in EV fires, whils’t they are being transported but, ultimately this will add cost and to who!

[MFillingham]

The issues isn’t the likelihood of combustion but the complexity of stopping the fire once it’s into the batteries.

If a fire gains intensity and becomes significantly more complex to deal with whilst in an environment where the floors/walls around them are at risk of collapse in these extreme conditions then a plan needs to exist on how to either protect the batteries in the event of a fire or deal effectively with the fire once it’s got into the batteries.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[Author]

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