Electric vehicles don’t pass shipping line safety assessment: ‘We will never compromise’
Heather Hamilton
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Shipping line Havila Kystruten has banned hybrid and electric vehicles due to their fire risk.
After a safety analysis, the Norwegian shipping company deemed its vessels unable to handle fires caused by electric vehicles’ defective lithium-ion batteries.
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“A possible fire in electric, hybrid, or hydrogen cars will require external rescue efforts and could put people on board and the ships at risk,” Havila Kystruten CEO Bent Martini told Maritime Executive, noting the ban was a “pure safety assessment.”
Martini noted that the company is looking at ways to lower risks that would allow for the transporting of electric vehicles in the future.
“An electric car fire will be very hot. There may be a risk of explosion, and toxic gases will be released,” Havila Kystruten Communication Manager Lasse A. Vangstein said. “We will never compromise with the safety of the passengers and crew. When we get such a clear conclusion on the risk assessment, the decision is very simple, even if it is difficult for some.”
Martini noted the ships have large battery packs but that they are installed with fire safety in mind and do not pose the same risk: “Our batteries are divided into isolated and fireproof rooms, with specific fire protection systems.”
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The shipping line said it would continue to transport gas-powered vehicles per its risk analysis because “a possible fire in fossil vehicles will be able to be handled by the systems and the crew we have on board.”
Electric vehicle fires linked to lithium-ion batteries have been a concern for insurance agencies. Last year, insurer Allianz reportedly issued a warning, citing the primary hazards of fire, explosion, toxic gases, and thermal runaway.