The US Coast Guard has reported that a ship carrying approximately 800 tonnes of Lithium-Ion batteries, some of which caught fire, is now safe after its crew successfully handled the situation.
The vessel, known as the Genius Star XI, departed from South Korea on December 17 and was headed to the United States. However, the journey encountered difficulties on Christmas Day when some of the batteries erupted in flames. The crew utilized carbon dioxide to extinguish the fire, which had spread before being contained, according to Maritime News.
When Lithium-Ion batteries catch fire, they are at risk of thermal runaway, resulting in significant heat, fire, and toxic smoke. With 800 tonnes of batteries onboard, such an event could be catastrophic.
On December 28th, the US Coast Guard received a report of a “contained but ongoing” fire onboard the vessel. Subsequently, two days later, a preliminary assessment concluded that the vessel was stable and no longer showed any signs of heat in the cargo holds.
However, authorities were still cautious on New Year’s Eve, as the condition of the cargo hold and the cause of the fire were yet to be determined. The ship has been instructed to anchor near Broad Bay, Alaska, with emergency towing facilities on standby in case it needs to be moved to a safer location.
The purpose of the batteries aboard the Genius Star XI is unknown, as is the cause of the fire. This is a critical issue, given that Lithium-Ion batteries can catch fire if damaged, crushed, or pierced, especially in rough sea conditions. In some cases, poorly manufactured batteries can spontaneously ignite if the separators between the cathode and anode fail.
As the world increasingly relies on Lithium-Ion batteries to power a wide range of equipment, including electric vehicles, portable electronics, and even oil tankers, it’s essential to address the safety challenges associated with these power sources.