Global Energy Transition Poses Risks For Transport by Sea
As the world accelerates toward sustainability, the global logistics sector is facing unintended consequences – particularly in the transport of electric vehicles (EVs) by sea. While decarbonisation is driving demand for EVs, it has also coincided with a troubling rise in lithium-ion battery fires aboard vessels.
These incidents are not only dangerous for ships and crews but can also be catastrophic for cargo owners and insurers. Lithium battery fires are fast-moving, extremely difficult to control, and in some cases, fatal. The message is clear: stakeholders need to recognise the increasing risks, respect the dangerous nature of these products and ensure they follow dangerous goods procedures accurately.
Lithium-ion battery incidents are not confined to maritime transport—they have been recorded on trains, trucks, aircraft, and in warehouses. However, several high-profile fires involving electric cars on roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels have brought the maritime risks into sharp focus:
2025 – Morning Midas: Caught fire and sank off Alaska while transporting over 3,000 cars from China to Mexico. The blaze burned for weeks, with salvors unable to approach due to toxic fumes carried by strong winds. Losses exceeded US $560 million.
2023 – Fremantle Highway: Fire broke out in the North Sea while carrying over 3,000 cars from Germany to Egypt. One crew member died, the cargo was completely destroyed, and the vessel was declared a constructive total loss.
2022 – Felicity Ace: Sank after catching fire off the Azores with nearly 4,000 cars on board from Germany to the US.
2020 – Höegh Xiamen: Fire erupted while carrying over 2,400 used vehicles in Florida. It burned for more than a week, injuring nine people.
At the heart of the problem is thermal runaway – a chain reaction in which lithium-ion batteries rapidly overheat, becoming self-sustaining and leading to fires or explosions. On RoRo ships, the risks are amplified: cars are packed closely together across multiple decks, and the enclosed design traps heat and toxic fumes. Firefighting in these conditions is extremely challenging, with the added danger of re-ignition even after initial suppression.
Dangerous goods regulations for transporting lithium batteries are evolving rapidly, and further changes are likely. The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has described their movement as the biggest threat to international transport today.
Evolution Forwarding specialises in dangerous goods logistics across air, ocean, and road. Our end-to-end solutions include packing, documentation, compliance, and training for lithium batteries and other hazardous cargo.
For more information, contact us at info@evolutionforwarding.com or call 0800 434 6244.
