News

On October 30th, the seminar on fire safety in the transportation of new energy vehicles, themed “Safety Creates Excellence: Building Bridges at Sea Together”, was successfully held in Shanghai. The event brought together numerous industry experts and representatives from various organizations to discuss the key issues related to the safe transportation of new energy vehicles by sea, as well as new approaches to risk prevention, control, and management innovation.

This seminar was chaired by Sun Li, Vice President and Chief Safety Officer of Intercontinental Ship Management Group.

Sun Li, Vice President and Chief Safety Officer of Intercontinental Ship Management Group

In his opening speech, Zhao Yong, Vice President of Intercontinental Shipping Group, stated that safety is the lifeline of the shipping industry and also the foundation for a company’s development. In the face of the rapid growth in the demand for the maritime transportation of new energy vehicles, the industry should focus on “technological innovation, standardization, and collaborative efforts” to jointly address new safety challenges and continuously improve its management systems as well as its emergency response capabilities.

Zhao Yong, Vice President of Intercontinental Shipping Group

The meeting focused on in-depth discussions covering the entire process of “risk identification, preventive measures, operational control, and insurance protection”. First of all, Wang Fuchao, the deputy general manager of the Intercontinental Car and Ship Management Department, presented the company’s comprehensive solutions for fire safety during the transportation of new energy vehicles. These solutions included pre-shipment risk assessments, standards for battery power level control, regulations for the proper storage of batteries, as well as the use of advanced monitoring technologies. He emphasized that the company is equipped with infrared thermometers, gas detectors, and multi-functional monitoring systems, which play a crucial role in early fire detection. In addition, regular professional training and practical drills are conducted to enhance the crew’s ability to respond to emergencies effectively.

Wang Fuchao, Deputy General Manager of the Intercontinental Motor Vessel Management Department

During the guest presentation session, Xin Jicheng, a senior surveyor from CCS Classification Society, delivered a speech titled “Risk Control Methods and Management Recommendations for the Transport of New Energy Vehicles by PCTC Ships”. In his presentation, he analyzed in detail the severe fire safety challenges faced by PCTC ships when transporting new energy vehicles. He pointed out that lithium battery fires are characterized by sudden onset, rapid spread, and difficulty in extinguishing. To address these issues, he recommended adopting a strategy that focuses on prevention, early detection, and localized fire control. This strategy includes ensuring proper ventilation and reliable securing of the vehicles to prevent thermal runaway; using localized water spraying in combination with fire blankets to control the fire; as well as strengthening crew emergency training to enhance the safety of new energy vehicle shipments by sea.

CCS Classification Society, Senior Surveyor: Xin Jicheng

Zhang Zhuo, Deputy Director of SDARI Design Institute and Chief Expert in Ship Design, presented a lecture on “Fire Safety Design of Ships Transporting New Energy Vehicles.” He analyzed the requirements of international regulations as well as the technical challenges associated with the safety features of current roll-on/roll-of ships. He also demonstrated innovative design solutions for fire prevention zones, monitoring and alarm systems, and automatic fire extinguishing systems. By combining practical projects with experimental results, he proposed a systematic approach to enhancing the safety of new energy vehicles during maritime transportation, starting from the design phase itself.

SDARI Design Institute

Deputy Director, Chief Expert in Ship Design: Zhang Zhuo

In addition, experts Bruce Liu and Laurie Zhao from the P&I Association analyzed the causes of disasters and emergency response strategies by examining typical accident cases, providing shipowners with a comprehensive perspective on both preventive measures and remedial actions after an incident occurs.

Finally, Huang Shiwu, Assistant General Manager of Guangzhou Yuanhai Automobile and Ship Transportation Co., Ltd., presented the company’s research progress in the field of early warning systems for new energy vehicle fires. He focused on the thermal runaway monitoring technology that enables real-time data transmission via WiFi.

Guangzhou Yuanhai Car and Ship Transportation Co., Ltd.

Assistant General Manager: Huang Shiwu

Chen Wei, the head of the Ship Management Department at BYD Group, shared his thoughts on fire safety from the perspective of both a manufacturer and a shipowner. He stated that BYD’s “self-manufacturing and self-transportation” model has made the company place greater emphasis on safety management. He also stressed the importance of fire prevention, pointing out that the losses caused by fires can often be devastating, and therefore it is crucial to take preventive measures in advance.

Chen Wei, Head of the Ship Management Department at BYD Group

As the organizer, Intercontinental Shipping has always regarded safety as the driving force for its sustainable development. In recent years, the group has continuously increased its investments in green ships, intelligent systems, and crew training, striving to build a comprehensive safety system that integrates technology, management, and collaboration. The successful holding of this seminar has provided a high-quality platform for exchanges and cooperation among industry players, academia, research institutions, and practical application entities. In the future, Intercontinental Shipping will continue to work together with its industry partners to enhance the safety of new energy vehicle transportation and contribute to the creation of a safer and more environmentally friendly global maritime transportation ecosystem.