AMSA: Guidance on risks associated with the carriage of battery-powered electric vehicles - Risk Alert 100
Published: November 24, 2023
(CV Safety Alert: 02/2023)
The Club would like to bring to Members attention the attached Safety Alert (CV Safety Alert: 02/2023) published by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) which, whilst directed at the operators of domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) provides valuable reminders, considerations and recommendations on the risks associated with the carriage of battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) on roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ferries.
Some of the risks associated with BEV fires onboard DCVs include:
- High voltage shocks
- Direct jet flames
- Fires develop in intensity quickly and rapidly reach their maximum intensity (typically within 2-3 minutes)
- Toxic gases
- Gas explosion (if the released gas accumulates for a while before being ignited)
- Long lasting re-ignition risk (can ignite or re-ignite weeks, or maybe months after the provoking incident)
- Once established fires are difficult to stop/extinguish.
- Thermal runaway
Other useful references:
- Marine Order 504
- Lash Fire: A project running in the EU aiming to significantly reduce the risk of fires on board RO-RO ships
For further information on this or other Loss Prevention topics please contact the Loss Prevention Department, Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd. Tel: +44 20 7247 5490; Email: [email protected]
