Technical Circular No: 022/2025
1. U.S. Coast Guard has issued Marine Safety Alert 14-25, highlighting the safety hazards that are unique to Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
2. The safety alert provides that an integrated Li-ion battery bank caught fire onboard a passenger vessel when loosely crimped lugs overheated. Although there were no injuries and the vessel sustained only minor damage, the casualty underscores the inherent risks associated with Li-ion battery systems.
3. In view of the above, U.S. Coast Guard USCG has provided following guidelines to the Owners & operators of vessel installed with Li-ion battery:
a. Identify Li-Ion Battery installed onboard. It can be Identified by reading the nameplate specifications. It can be identified in a variety of ways depending on electrode, electrolyte, and separator materials. Some common types in maritime use are Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC), Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO), Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA), and Lithium Titanate (LTO). New chemistries continue to emerge as technology advances.
b. Batteries are to be visually inspected for signs of deterioration, such as bulging cells or corroded electrical connections.
c. Confirm that required maintenance is undertaken and documented as per the manufacturer’s manual.
d. Ensure crew responsible for battery operations are well-trained as per the manufacturers procedures, understand the battery management system, and know how to respond to abnormal conditions or fires.
e. Ensure Safety drills for Li-ion battery fires are conducted, and Li-ion battery system arrangements and risks are taken into account when conducting other drills.
4. The above is provided for information and compliance.
Enclosure:
This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.