NTSB: Cargo Vessel Suffered $3.8 Million Damage After Lithium-Ion Battery Fires at Sea

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report detailing the events that led to two fires aboard the cargo vessel Genius Star XI in late December 2023. The incidents, which resulted in approximately $3.8 million in damages, occurred while the vessel was navigating the North Pacific Ocean and subsequently diverted to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, due to adverse weather conditions and issues with its cargo.

According to the NTSB’s findings, the fires were a direct consequence of heavy weather and inadequately secured lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) units. The vessel encountered gale-force winds reaching up to 26 knots, with gusts exceeding 30 knots, and seas and swells that peaked at 19 feet. These severe conditions caused significant rolling of the ship and resulted in seawater washing over the cargo hatches.

The report indicates that the failure of improperly secured lashing belts allowed 41 lithium-ion BESS units to shift within the cargo holds. This movement led to internal structural deformation of the units. Subsequently, batteries within three of these units entered a state of thermal runaway, an uncontrolled self-heating process that can reach temperatures over 572°F, ultimately igniting the two fires within the holds.

Following the initial fire, the vessel’s crew activated the onboard carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing system and initiated a diversion to Dutch Harbor, the nearest port, seeking assistance. The first fire was successfully extinguished. However, while en route to Dutch Harbor, a second fire erupted in a different cargo hold on December 28. The crew responded by externally cooling the affected area with fire hoses. The second fire was confirmed extinguished upon the Genius Star XI’s arrival in Dutch Harbor on December 29. No injuries to crew members or environmental pollution were reported in connection with the incidents.

The NTSB’s investigation underscores the critical importance of ensuring that cargo, particularly large stationary lithium-ion BESS units, is properly secured aboard marine vessels. The agency emphasizes that crews should adhere strictly to the vessel’s cargo securing manual and approved lashing plans. Comprehensive inspections of all cargo-securing arrangements are crucial, both during and after the loading process. Particular attention should be paid to lashing belt hooks, wires, and chain falls, verifying that they are correctly seated on D-rings and attachment points. This diligent inspection and verification process is essential to prevent cargo movement, mitigate the risk of structural damage to battery units, and avert potential thermal runaway events, especially when navigating through heavy weather.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

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