Lithium-ion batteries on vessels

Lithium-ion batteries are becoming more common on commercial vessels, either as part of an electric propulsion system or as a replacement to conventional battery technology. This guidance contains advice for operators, marine surveyors, design approvers and naval architects about the risks of using lithium-ion batteries and how to address them.

 

These guidelines are for operators, marine surveyors, design approvers and naval architects of commercial vessels which are designed as electric-propelled vessels or where lithium-ion batteries are used as a replacement on a conventional powered vessel.

Swapping conventional batteries with Li-ion batteries

Access guidance highlighting the importance of managing the health and safety risks of lithium-ion batteries when they are used to replace conventional lead-acid batteries on non-SOLAS commercial vessels not originally designed for them.

Guidance for electric-propelled vessels

This quick guide provides a general overview of actions that surveyors, designers, and operators can do to minimise risks arising from vessels propelled by a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery system.

 

Guidelines for electric-propelled vessels
PDF: 193 KB, 6 pages
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