Quadrant was pleased to host the Electric Vehicle Carriage – Fires, Safety and Legal Implications with Maritime London on Tuesday 18th October 2022.

With the transition to net zero, electric vehicles are set to become the dominant form of transport globally. But in comparison to other forms of transport, what are the issues faced for the increased use and carriage of lithium-ion batteries? And what are the impacts when these batteries fail, particularly when transported by sea. 

This discussion was hosted and moderated by Jos Standerwick, CEO, Maritime London, and featured John Russell KC, Quadrant Chambers, David Handley, Watson, Farley & Williams and Adrian Scales, Brookes Bell. They highlighted the practical and legal implications.

• Lithium-Ion batteries, their construction and what causes their failure that could result in Thermal Runaway.
• What is thermal runaway and what gases are being produced when this occurs.
• Do ship’s crews have the necessary means to deal with a thermal runaway incident if it occurs on board?
• Can crews follow normal firefighting procedures in Ro-Pax, PCTC and HSC types of vessels and other considerations such as means of escape and LSA?
• Whether EVs are "dangerous goods"
• What carriers/ shipowners must do to make the ship seaworthy
• Whether the presence of EVs in itself renders the ship unseaworthy for other cargo