March 30, 2023: A ship carrying 4,000 vehicles that sank within the Atlantic final 12 months after a suspected EV battery hearth is unlikely to be recovered and the reason for the catastrophe stays a thriller, the ship’s proprietor stated . Journal of Power Storage at this time.
EVs are one of many automobiles on board Felicity Ace automotive provider, which caught hearth in February 2022 southwest of the Azores whereas crusing from Germany to the US.
A spokesman for MOL Shipmanagement Singapore, whose Automobile Carriers subsidiary owns the vessel, stated the ocean depth at which the Felicity Ace sank whereas being towed in a failed rescue try was roughly 3,000 meters, making a possible salvage operation “very tough”.
The spokesperson declined to remark when requested if MOL has obtained claims for compensation associated to potential environmental hazards and lack of onboard automobiles – value an estimated $400 million-$500 million, in response to the Overview of Security & Transport 2022, revealed by company insurance coverage provider Allianz International Company & Specialty (AGCS).
AGCS says that after greater than 70 reported fires on container ships alone within the final 5 years, a significant rethinking of ship designs, hearth detection and fire- combating functionality can also be required.
A MOL spokesman stated the corporate continued to move EVs, taking the mandatory security measures, however declined to say whether or not the principles governing automobile cargo had been reviewed or modified after the Felicity Ace occasion.
Journal of Power Storage It was revealed in March 2022 that China referred to as on the Worldwide Maritime Group (IMO) to contemplate a change in maritime security guidelines for EVs shipped by sea, amid a rise in fires involving batteries. of lithium ion.
An IMO spokesperson stated Journal of Power Storage that proposals associated to fireside safety and coping with fires involving the transport of EV/new vitality automobiles are anticipated to be mentioned by the sub-committee on the group of ship programs and tools in subsequent 12 months.
In the meantime, in January, Norwegian transport firm Havila Kystruten introduced it was banning electrical vehicles, hybrids and hydrogen automobiles on its ferries as a result of a possible hearth hazard.
Traditionally, one in three EV fires have occurred for no obvious purpose whereas the automobile was parked, in response to a 2021 report by analysis consultancy IdTechEx.
