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CINS publishes new operational guidelines for lithium-ion batteries shipped under SP188

CINS – the Cargo Incident Network System (whose members include container shipping lines, insurance groups and dangerous cargo experts) – has published new Operational Guidelines for Lithium-Ion Batteries Shipped Under SP188, providing practical guidance to support safer transport and emergency preparedness across the maritime container supply chain.

This guidance document focuses on maritime container transport in accordance with IMDG Special Provision (SP) 188.

The purpose of SP188 is to provide regulatory relief for eligible small lithium cells and batteries that meet all applicable conditions of the provision, including the relevant package gross-mass limitation.

However, since the year 1998 (when SP188 was introduced), development of battery performance has effectively expanded the power and scope of batteries capable of qualifying for this Special Provision.

SP188 has been identified by shipping lines reporting into the CINS database as an issue of significant – and growing – concern.
These CINS guidelines brings together, for the first time, practical experience and observations from CINS Member carriers involved in lithium-ion battery container fire incidents – together with input from shore-based firefighting specialists and terminal operators involved in incident response.
These real-world experiences have helped shape practical guidance for the wider maritime community, including shipping lines, terminal operators and shore-based fire services.

The guidance addresses the full operational chain, from booking information, cargo verification and visibility through to risk-informed stowage planning, shipboard firefighting preparedness and shore-based emergency response support.