As the maritime sector moves to decarbonise, the growing use and presence of lithium-ion batteries aboard vessels has introduced complex challenges for fire safety. To help address this, FIS is partnering on a global project aimed at protecting fishers and other seafarers from battery fires at sea. Funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the project is being delivered with the University of Queensland, the International Maritime Rescue Federation, the search & rescue organisation Atlantic Pacific and others.
Presenting significant hazards, battery fires include high heat releases, toxic emissions, and other risks associated with thermal runaway, making them exceptionally difficult to manage – particularly at sea, where crews are often the first to respond. As part of our collaborative efforts to tackle this, the project will run battery fire simulations, develop crew training materials, and update firefighting protocols.
FIS’ participation in this project reflects our commitment to ensuring that fishing businesses remain safe and competitive as the sector transitions away from fossil fuel diesel. Currently, the lack of fishing vessels operating on net-zero solutions poses a significant barrier to developing best practice vessel design, operation, and safety systems. Demonstrator vessels, and publicly available information on future fuel production, will be critical to establishing a robust evidence base for the industry.
Read more about the project here: https://www.international-maritime-rescue.org/News/addressing-the-challenges-of-lithium-ion-battery-fires-on-board-ships-a-collaborative-approach
Read more about our Vessels of the Future work here: https://fisorg.uk/vessels-of-the-future/
