Lithium-ion batteries on vessels
Lithium-ion batteries are starting to become 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 vesels 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
This guidance highlights the importance of managing the health and safety risks of lithium-ion (Li-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.