A groundbreaking international project led by the University of Queensland (UQ) and funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation is addressing the growing challenges posed by lithium-ion battery fires aboard ships. The IMRF, Atlantic Pacific, as well as Fisheries Innovation and Sustainability, the Hapag-Lloyd Centre for Shipping and Global Logistics, and University College London are all key collaborators in the project.

In recent years, the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs), has introduced complex challenges for fire safety in maritime environments.

The most recent incident involves the fire on the cargo ship Morning Midas, which occurred on 3 June 2025. It was carrying approximately 3,000 new vehicles, including around 70 fully electric and 681 hybrid vehicles, travelling from Yantai, China, to Mexico. The fire originated on the deck where the EVs were stored, rapidly disabling the vessel about 300 miles southwest of Adak Island. Despite evacuation and firefighting efforts, the fire continued, causing significant damage to the ship’s structure. On 23 June, amidst rough weather and water ingress, Morning Midas sank to a depth of about 16,400 ft (5,000 m), roughly 450 miles southwest of Adak. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, early indications suggest that thermal runaway from one or more lithium-ion batteries may have triggered the blaze.

The Morning Midas scenario aligns with similar incidents, such as the fires aboard the Felicity Ace, the Fremantle Highway, and the MS Pearl of Scandinavia, emphasising the urgent need to better understand and manage electric propulsion and other battery-related fires at sea.

These fires present significant hazards, including high heat release rates, toxic emissions, and other risks associated with thermal runaway, all of which make both management and extinguishment exceptionally difficult.

Fires at sea are challenging because shipboard crews, often equipped with basic firefighting training, must act as first responders in the absence of immediate shore-based support.

Furthermore, the global shipping industry has not yet fully adapted to the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, whether they are carried as cargo, as an auxiliary power source, or used for ship propulsion.

Technology and the drive to utilise and implement it are challenging traditional methods of response. These challenges impact regulatory frameworks such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention and create critical gaps in preparedness, response capabilities, and operational protocols. Salvage companies are sometimes called upon for longer-term incidents to manage fires, prevent environmental damage, and recover cargo, but their involvement is often delayed, leaving crews to handle the crisis in the meantime.

To address these issues, a new collaborative project led by the UQ aims to improve the understanding of shipboard fires involving lithium-ion batteries and to develop practical solutions for maritime crews and search and rescue (SAR) teams. A core focus of the project is to review global practices for addressing such fires, drawing insights from regions where electric vehicle adoption has already impacted fire safety on ferries and cargo transporters. The project also seeks to assess how these fires affect the fire safety provisions outlined in SOLAS regulations.

One key research component involves fire tests of batteries which will be carried out so as best as possible to simulate conditions aboard ships, where batteries are often stored in tightly packed spaces. The results will provide valuable data on heat release rates, fire spread, and the challenges of extinguishment in confined environments.

To facilitate knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving, workshops and webinars will be hosted bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, including shipping companies, ports, SAR organisations, and fire safety experts. These sessions will focus on sharing findings, discussing operational challenges, and exploring potential solutions.

Training materials developed through the project will provide ship crews with the tools to handle battery fires at sea better, addressing issues such as updated firefighting protocols, necessary equipment, and enhanced training modules.

The initiative is built on the strength of its collaborators. The University of Queensland leads training, materials research, testing, and development, while the IMRF contributes through working groups, dissemination of findings, and engagement with international organisations. Atlantic Pacific focuses on updating firefighting protocols and integrating the lessons learned into training for maritime personnel. Other partners bring specific expertise in logistics, shipping and fire safety.

This collaborative effort seeks to meaningfully impact maritime safety by addressing a critical and underexplored issue.

The rapid adoption of battery-powered technologies worldwide means the maritime sector will increasingly face these challenges in the coming years. This project represents a vital step toward ensuring the safety of crews and protecting the global shipping industry from the growing threat of lithium-ion battery fires.

Kindly note: David Lange, an Associate Professor of Fire Safety Engineering at Queensland University, will be speaking at the upcoming Australia Regional Seminar in Sydney about battery fires at sea.

Call to action:

The IMRF will be advising the UQ in their research, and will conduct workshops, comprised of SAR specialists and rescue personnel, to discuss and provide real-world input and to benchmark and provide commentary on findings. IMRF members will be invited to volunteer their time for interviews and to be part of the workshop group. If you or your organisation wish to participate, please send an email to: [email protected]