Container Lines Push to Classify All Lithium-Ion Battery Cargo as Dangerous Goods

Container shipping lines are moving toward mandating that all cargo containing lithium-ion batteries be classified as 'Dangerous Goods,' following a fire incident aboard CMA CGM Petra in August 2024. The vessel, an 8,000 TEU ship, experienced a container fire shortly after departing Singapore bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka. This incident underscores the growing risk that undetected or misclassified battery shipments pose to maritime operations and crew safety.

The push for mandatory dangerous goods classification represents a structural shift in how the industry manages battery logistics. Currently, many lithium-ion battery shipments are transported under less restrictive classifications, creating blind spots in risk management and emergency response protocols. A global mandate would require shippers to adopt stricter handling procedures, documentation standards, and stowage requirements—significantly affecting the economics of battery supply chains that feed into the electric vehicle, consumer electronics, and renewable energy sectors.

For supply chain professionals, this potential regulation signals the need to audit current battery shipment practices, reassess carrier and freight forwarder compliance capabilities, and prepare for higher logistics costs. The transition period—before any regulatory change takes effect—presents a critical window to establish best practices and build relationships with carriers equipped to handle dangerous goods operations.