-
The World Shipping Council is urging governments to tighten international dangerous goods rules for lithium battery shipments
-
Current rules under Special Provision 188 allow containers carrying thousands of qualifying small lithium batteries to move without dangerous goods declarations or placarding
-
There is no limit on the number of SP188-exempt batteries that can be consolidated in a single container
-
A container carrying about 4,200 laptops could hold roughly 416 kWh of stored energy, equivalent to the batteries of three to four electric vehicles
-
Global lithium-ion battery deployment in 2025 was six times higher than in 2020, with battery demand expected to double by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency
-
Container ship fires occur every 17 days, based on the latest Allianz statistics
-
WSC has submitted a proposal to the International Maritime Organization for a container-level threshold requiring certain battery shipments to be declared, placarded
-
The issue will be considered by the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers in London on Sept. 14-18
The World Shipping Council (WSC) is urging governments to tighten international dangerous goods rules for lithium battery shipments, warning that current exemptions can allow containers carrying thousands of batteries to move without carriers being informed of the potential hazard.
The call, WSC said in a statement, comes as lithium battery transport continues to expand while cargo fires remain a persistent risk in maritime shipping.
Global lithium-ion battery deployment in 2025 was six times higher than in 2020, with battery demand expected to double by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency.
Insurer Allianz’s latest statistics, meanwhile, show that a container ship fire occurs every 17 days.
Under Special Provision 188 (SP188) of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, smaller batteries are exempt from certain requirements if they meet specified testing, packaging and capacity criteria.
However, the provision does not impose a limit on the number of exempt batteries that can be consolidated in a single container.
A container holding about 4,200 laptops could store roughly 416 kilowatt-hours, equivalent to the battery capacity of three or four electric vehicles, without needing dangerous goods documentation or placarding.
“Right now, a container can be packed with thousands of lithium batteries and still travel without being declared as dangerous goods,” said Joe Kramek, president and CEO of WSC.
“The SP188 exemption was intended to simplify the transport of individual devices with small batteries, not to make entire container loads invisible,” he highlighted.
The WSC said batteries are transported safely every day when properly declared and when the risks are appropriately managed.
The concern arises when carriers, crews, ports and emergency responders are unaware that potentially hazardous battery cargo is present, it said.
Without this information, carriers are unable to accurately evaluate the risk, select suitable stowage, distinguish the container from other cargo, or develop an effective emergency response plan.
“We know what can happen when hazards are invisible,” Kramek said. “Batteries shipped under the exemption have caused serious container fires, putting people, ports, ships and the marine environment at risk.”
The WSC, backed by five governments and a broad coalition of industry organizations, has submitted a paper to the IMO proposing a potential maximum container-level threshold.
Shipments exceeding the threshold would have to be declared and could also be subject to placarding requirements.
“The current rules are not working as intended,” Kramek said. “As battery shipments continue to grow, we need a better solution that makes these cargoes visible and allows the risks to be properly managed.”
Governments are expected to review the proposal during the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers meeting, set to take place in London from September 14 to 18, 2026.
READ: US, PH in joint training to combat hazardous cargo trafficking
