The shipping industry is pushing for tighter controls on lithium-ion battery cargo as concerns grow over the fire risks associated with batteries transported under Special Provision 188 (SP188) of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) has published a recommendation paper calling for reform of SP188, arguing that the rapid growth in lithium-ion battery use and shipment volumes has changed the risk landscape since the provision was introduced. CINS says limited visibility of cargo moving under the exemption can increase exposure to fires, explosions and operational risks across the maritime supply chain.
Under the current framework, certain lithium-ion cells and batteries that meet specified testing, packaging and other requirements can move under SP188 without a full dangerous-goods declaration. CINS is now recommending that all lithium-ion battery shipments be declared, including cargo currently benefiting from the SP188 exemption. Its proposal also includes a 20 kg gross battery-mass limit per Cargo Transport Unit (CTU) for SP188 relief, with shipments above that threshold subject to full IMDG dangerous-goods declaration and compliance. The recommendation is aimed at making battery cargo more visible and traceable throughout the transport chain rather than removing SP188 outright.
The issue has gained further attention following a 23 August fire aboard the 8,000-TEU CMA CGM Petra after the vessel departed Singapore for Colombo. The cause of that incident remains undetermined, so it should not be presented as a confirmed lithium-ion battery fire. However, the incident comes amid broader industry concerns about battery-related cargo fires and the challenges of identifying and managing such cargo at sea. For carriers, freight forwarders and other parties handling containerized cargo, the proposed changes could make cargo declaration, visibility and traceability increasingly important areas to monitor as discussions around SP188 continue.