US shipowner Matson recently announced that due to the classification of lithium-ion batteries as dangerous materials, the company has suspended the transport of battery-powered electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Traditional car transport services are not affected. This move came as a surprise to customers, as car transport services between the US mainland, Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska are crucial for individuals and car dealers.
In a letter to customers, Matson wrote: “ Due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels. Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades.
Matson continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented.”
The Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association reports that there are currently more than 37,000 electric vehicles registered in the state. Specific data for Guam has not been released, but local dealers have expressed regret over the decision and emphasized that electric vehicles are well suited for driving on the island.
Matson previously reported that it had established a collaborative team mechanism to address the complexities of transporting lithium batteries, had set up an electric vehicle safety transport working group, and stated that it was participating in external working groups on electric vehicles and lithium batteries.
Matson also said that while in port, the battery handling procedures include reviewing processes and using a battery shipping checklist, while for ships, the company has developed procedures on how to extinguish lithium battery fires and how to prevent them from happening, such as proper storage methods, using new tools such as thermal imaging cameras to monitor temperature anomalies, and deploying the “Viking HydroPen” – an alternative to traditional water mist spray guns, which is designed to be inserted into the container and extinguish the fire.
Currently, the industry is working to establish new standards for the transport of electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries, but the situation is more complicated for Matson, which uses container ships to transport cars, limiting the ability to monitor vehicles and increasing the risk of container fires.