Undeclared batteries – The cause of containership fire

Jan 13, 2020

Follow Us

Stay up to date with our news and articles on social media

Contact Us

Tel 0800 434 6244
Email info@evolutionforwarding.com

Last week saw the first containership fire of the year following a spate of similar issues during 2019. A fire broke out onboard the vessel ‘Cosco Pacific’, which resulted in an emergency diversion and the schedule being delayed until further notice.

The 10,000 teu containership was en route to Nhava Sheva Port in India from the Far East and had to be rerouted to Colombo for inspection.

According to reports, Chinese authorities immediately identified the cause of the blaze, which they attributed to a shipment of lithium batteries that were not declared as dangerous goods. The three containers in question had been declared to the steamship line as ‘spare parts and accessories’.

Lithium batteries, which are used commonly in electronic devices, are usually classified as class 9 dangerous goods.

The misdeclaration of dangerous goods can be an illegal means of reducing freight costs, although carriers are clamping down on the issue by imposing severe penalties to businesses. The risks for individuals involved includes the potential of imprisonment.

 

Evolution Forwarding specialise in the packing, documentation, compliance and movement of dangerous goods internationally, our expertise and willingness to get the job done has positioned us second to none in this important area.

For further information please email info@evolutionforwarding.com or call 0800 4346244.

 

Dangerous Goods Logistics

Find out more about our Dangerous Goods Packing & Logistics Services

Dangerous Goods Compliance

Find out more about our Dangerous Goods Compliance Services

brought to you by the dangerous goods people

Evolution Forwarding offer a range of dangerous goods and logistics services including packing, classification, training, DGSA services, air freight, ocean freight and road freight.

Related Articles

Dogs That Can Detect Lithium Batteries

Dogs That Can Detect Lithium Batteries

The detection of lithium batteries using dogs is being pioneered in France, and is expected to roll out globally following a successful six-month trial.

Felixstowe & Liverpool Strike Update

Felixstowe & Liverpool Strike Update

Workers at the Port of Felixstowe are due to start an eight day strike starting from this weekend and now Liverpool dock workers have voted for industrial action too.

New Lithium Battery Rules For Air Cargo

New Lithium Battery Rules For Air Cargo

From 1st April 2022, new IATA regulations have once again been introduced for the movement of lithium batteries by air. These changes were buried in the IATA DG Regulations.