Safety of Electrical (Battery-Powered) Ships: An Overview of IMO’s Safety Regulations and Class Rules/Requirements

Yıl 2025, Sayı: Special Issue, 30 - 38, 31.12.2025

Fatih Yılmaz

Öz

Today, 85-90% of global trade of food, energy, goods and raw materials carried by ships at sea. Shipping and maritime transportation by ships are vital to the global economy, trade and supply-chain. In recent years, the international community has a growing concern about global climate change. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships of international shipping which produces 2-3% of global total anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The first milestone to prevent air pollution from ships of international shipping was adoption of MARPOL Annex-VI to limit emissions of Sulphur oxides and Nitrogen oxides from ship exhausts, to ban the deliberate emission of substances that deplete the ozone layer and to designate emission control areas. The IMO updated the “2018 Initial IMO Strategy”, the first of which started to be implemented in 2018, and adopted the “2023 IMO GHG Strategy” in 2023. One of ambitions of this current GHG strategy (2023) is “uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies, fuels and/or energy sources…”. Accordingly, the maritime industry's search for alternative fuels, such as LPG, LNG, ammonia, methanol etc., and new technologies based on renewable energy sources such as electrical energy, solar energy and wind energy etc., has increased considerably in recent years. Lithium-ion battery technology is also one of the new technologies with zero or near-zero GHG emissions addressed by the IMO. In recent years, the use of electrical (battery-powered) ships has become increasingly widespread on ferries, Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax ships in particular that transport passengers and cargo in short distance between ports/terminals, especially in Northern European countries. But on the other hand, fire and explosion risks arising from battery system and other risks/failures arising from electricity require an international regulatory framework, strict rules/requirements for the safety of battery-powered ships. Therefore, it is important to better understand the international regulatory framework for the safety of battery-powered ships through a systematic review. With that aim, this paper provides an overview of the IMO’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping and to develop a regulatory framework for the safety of battery-powered ships and also rules/requirements of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) member classification societies in relation to safety of battery-powered ships.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Maritime Safety , IMO GHG Strategy , Class Rules , Maritime Management , Safety of Electrical Ships

Teşekkür

This article is a substantially extended version of the paper presented at “I. Ulusal Enerji ve Sürdürülebilirlik Konferansı / I. National Energy Transition and Sustainability Conference (EDSK’25)” by Gedik University, İstanbul, on 9-10 January 2025. The Author would like to thank to Dr. Bekir Türkmen, Rule Development Division Manager at Turk Loydu, Mr. Emrah Yıldız, Project Manager at Tersan Shipyard, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Egemen Sulukan, Mechanical/Mechatronics Engineering Lecturer at Gedik University, for their valuable technical informative supports regarding the IACS’s unified requirements and classification/notation practices of battery-powered ships.

Elektrikli (Bataryalı) Gemilerin Emniyeti: IMO’nun Emniyet Düzenlemeleri ile Klas Kurallarına/Gereklerine Genel Bir Bakış

Öz

Günümüzde küresel gıda, enerji, mal ve hammadde ticaretinin %85-90'ı denizyoluyla gemilerle taşınmaktadır. Gemilerle yapılan nakliye ve deniz taşımacılığı, küresel ekonomi, ticaret ve tedarik zinciri için hayati öneme sahiptir. Öte yandan, uluslararası toplum son yıllarda küresel iklim değişikliği konusunda giderek artan bir endişe duymaktadır. Uluslararası Denizcilik Örgütü (IMO), küresel toplam antropojenik CO2 emisyonlarının %2-3'ünü üreten gemilerinden kaynaklanan sera gazı (GHG) emisyonlarını azaltma çabalarında bulunmaktadır. Gemilerinden kaynaklanan hava kirliliğini önlemedeki ilk kilometre taşı, gemi egzozlarından çıkan Kükürt oksit ve Azot oksit emisyonlarını sınırlamak, ozon tabakasını incelten maddelerin kasıtlı emisyonunu yasaklamak ve emisyon kontrol alanlarını belirlemek için MARPOL Ek-VI'nın kabul edilmesiydi. IMO, ilkini 2018 yılından itibaren uygulamaya başladığı “2018 Initial IMO Stratejisi”ni güncelleyerek 2023 yılında “2023 IMO GHG Stratejisi”ni kabul etti. Bu güncel GHG stratejisinin (2023) hedeflerinden biri de “sıfır veya sıfıra yakın sera gazı emisyonu teknolojilerinin, yakıtların ve/veya enerji kaynaklarının kullanımını arttırmak…” şeklindedir. Dolayısıyla, denizcilik sektörünün LPG, LNG, amonyak, metanol vb. gibi alternatif yakıtlar ve elektrik enerjisi, güneş enerjisi ve rüzgar enerjisi vb. gibi yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarına dayalı yeni teknolojiler arayışı son yıllarda önemli ölçüde artmaktadır. Lityum iyon batarya teknolojisi de IMO tarafından işaret edilen sıfır veya sıfıra yakın sera gazı emisyonuna sahip yeni teknolojilerden biridir. Son yıllarda, özellikle Kuzey Avrupa ülkelerinde, limanlar/terminaller arasında kısa mesafede yolcu ve yük taşıyan özellike feribotlar ve Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax gemilerinde elektrikli (bataryalı) gemilerin kullanımı giderek yaygınlaşmaktadır. Ancak diğer yandan, batarya sisteminden kaynaklanan yangın ve patlama riskleri ve elektrikten kaynaklanan diğer riskler/arızalar, elektrikli (bataryalı) gemilerin emniyetine yönelik uluslararası bir düzenleyici çerçeveyi ve katı kuralları gerekli kılmaktadır. Bu nedenle, elektrikli (bataryalı) gemilerin emniyetine yönelik uluslararası düzenleyici çerçeveyi sistematik bir inceleme yoluyla daha iyi anlamak önemlidir. Bu amaçla, bu bildiride, IMO'nun uluslararası deniz taşımacılığından kaynaklanan sera gazı emisyonlarını azaltma ve elektrikli (bataryalı) gemilerin emniyetine yönelik düzenleyici çerçeve geliştirme çabaları hakkında ve Uluslararası Klas Kuruluşları Birliği (IACS) üyesi klas kuruluşlarının elektrikli (bataryalı) gemilerin emniyeti ile ilişkili kuralları ve gereklilikleri hakkında genel bir bakış sunulmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Deniz Emniyeti , Elektrikli Gemilerin Emniyeti , IMO GHG Stratejisi , Klas Kuralları , Denizcilik Yönetimi

Teşekkür

This article is a substantially extended version of the paper presented at “I. Ulusal Enerji ve Sürdürülebilirlik Konferansı / I. National Energy Transition and Sustainability Conference (EDSK’25)” by Gedik University, İstanbul, on 9-10 January 2025. The Author would like to thank to Dr. Bekir Türkmen, Rule Development Division Manager at Turk Loydu, Mr. Emrah Yıldız, Project Manager at Tersan Shipyard, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Egemen Sulukan, Mechanical/Mechatronics Engineering Lecturer at Gedik University, for their valuable technical informative supports regarding the IACS’s unified requirements and classification/notation practices of battery-powered ships.

Kaynakça

• ICS (n.d). Explaining shipping. Retrieved from https://www.ics shipping.org/explaining/?_gl=1*rrtqiu*_up*MQ..*_ga*NTA4NjU0MjI1LjE3MzUzMDMwMzc.*_ga_KEQ52XLWBK*MTczNTMwMzAzNi4xLjAuMTczNTMwMzAzNi4wLjAuNTM3OTY5ODgx
• UNFCCC (n.d). The Paris Agreement - What is the Paris Agreement? Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement
• IMO (n.d). 2018 Initial IMO Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Vision-and-level-of-ambition-of-the-Initial-IMO-Strategy.aspx
• IMO (n.d). Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82), 30 September – 4 October 2024. Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/Pages/MEPC-82nd-session.aspx
• IMO (2000). Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships. Retrieved from https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/OurWork/Environment/Documents/First%20IMO%20GHG%20study.pdf
• IMO (2009). Second IMO Greenhouse Gas Study 2009. Retrieved from https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/OurWork/Environment/Documents/SecondIMOGHGStudy2009.pdf
• IMO (2014). Third IMO GHG Study 2014. Retrieved from https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/OurWork/Environment/Documents/Third%20Greenhouse%20Gas%20Study/GHG3%20Executive%20Summary%20and%20Report.pdf
• IMO (2020). Fourth Greenhouse Gas Study 2020. Retrieved from https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/OurWork/Environment/Documents/Fourth%20IMO%20GHG%20Study%202020%20-%20Full%20report%20and%20annexes.pdf
• IMO (n.d). 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/2023-IMO-Strategy-on-Reduction-of-GHG-Emissions-from-Ships.aspx
• IMO (n.d.). IMO and Sustainable Development. Retrieved from https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Documents/IMO%20SDG%20Brochure.pdf
• IMO (n.d.). IMO’s work to cut GHG emissions from ships. Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Cutting-GHG-emissions.aspx
• The Maritime Executive (2021). New Hybrid Tour Boat Suffers Battery Fire Under Way. Retrieved from https://maritime-executive.com/article/newly-built-hybrid-passenger-vessel-suffers-battery-fire-under-way
• IMO (n.d). Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment, 10th session (SSE 10), 4-8 March 2024. Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/Pages/SSE-10th-session.aspx
• The Maritime Executive (2024a). Salvaged Fire-Damaged Car Carrier Fremantle Highway Sold to China. Retrieved from https://maritime-executive.com/article/salvaged-fire-damaged-car-carrier-fremantle-highway-sold-to-china
• The Maritime Executive (2024b). Report: Volkswagen Sued by MOL for the Loss of Felicity Ace Car Carrier. Retrieved from https://maritime-executive.com/article/report-volkswagen-sued-by-mol-for-the-loss-of-felicity-ace-car-carrier
• The Maritime Executive (2019). Green Lake Crew Recognized for Sincerity Ace Rescue Efforts. Retrieved from https://maritime-executive.com/article/green-lake-crew-recognized-for-sincerity-ace-rescue-efforts
• ClassNKK (n.d). Safety Measures for Maritime Transportation of Electric Vehicles. Retrieved from https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/en/activities/statutory/ev_carriage_safety/index.html
• IMO (n.d). Maritime Safety Committee - 109th session (MSC 109), 2-6 December 2024. Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/Pages/MSC-109th-session.aspx
• IACS (n.d). Classification societies– their key role. Retrieved from https://iacs.s3.af-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/09132413/classification-societies-key-role.pdf
• IACS (n.d). IACS Members. Retrieved from https://iacs.org.uk/membership/iacs-members
• IACS (n.d). Unified Requirements. Retrieved from https://iacs.org.uk/resolutions/unified-requirements
• Tersaneler ve Kıyı Yapıları Genel Müdürlüğü (n.d). Klas Notasyonları ve Açıklamaları. Retrieved from https://tkygm.uab.gov.tr/deniz-endustrisi-ve-gemi-sanayi
• ABS (2024). Requirements for Hybrid and All-Electric Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications April 2024. Retrieved from https://ww2.eagle.org/content/dam/eagle/rules-and-guides/current/conventional_ocean_service/319-requirements-for-hybrid-electric-power-systems-for-marine-and-offshore-applications-2024/319-hybrid-electric-power-systems-reqts-Apr24.pdf
• ABS (n.d). ABS Advisory on Hybrid Electric Power Systems. Retrieved from https://ww2.eagle.org/content/dam/eagle/advisories-and-debriefs/ABS_Hybrid_Advisory_17033.pdf
• ABS (2022). Best Practices for the Transport of Electric Vehicles on Board Vessels. Retrieved from https://ww2.eagle.org/content/dam/eagle/advisories-and-debriefs/best-practices-transport-electric-vehicles-board-vessels.pdf
• BV (2025a). Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships Part C Machınery, Electricity, Automation and Fire Protection. Retrieved from https://erules.veristar.com/dy/data/bv/pdf/467-NR_PartC_2025-01.pdf
• BV (2025b). Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships Part F Additional Class Notations. Retrieved from https://erules.veristar.com/dy/data/bv/pdf/467-NR_PartF_2025-01.pdf
• Class NKK. (2022). Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships Part H Electrical Installations. Retrieved from https://www.classnk.com/hp/pdf/rules/amendments/e-Amendments/22.12.27/420_part_h_e_20221227.pdf
• Class NKK (2024). A Guidelines for the Safe Transportation of Electric Vehicles (Edition 2.0). Retrieved from https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/pdf/activities/statutory/ev_carriage_safety/gl_ev_carriage_safety_e202412.pdf
• Vanem, E., Salucci, C.B., Bakdi, A. & Alnes, Ø. Å. (2021). Data-driven state of health modelling—A review of state of the art and reflections on applications for maritime battery systems. Journal of Energy Storage, 43, 103158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2021.103158
• DNV GL (2019). Maritime Battery Safety Joint Development Project Technical Reference for Li-ion Battery Explosion Risk and Fire Suppression. Retrieved from https://brandcentral.dnv.com/download/DownloadGateway.dll?h=BE1B38BB718539CC0AB58A5FF2EA7A835342F9DD72A372E04F0E42F49C12F9F8589D24E53011726C2B174AE536EF5D18
• LR (2019). Lloyd’s Register Type Approval System Test Specification Number 5 Type testing for lithium battery systems. Retrieved from https://maritime.lr.org/l/941163/2022-01-25/2vkhp/941163/1643137972kPns40cO/Test_Specification_Number_5.pdf?_gl=1*199li7v*_gcl_au*MTQzNzI4NTQ5OS4xNzM1MTEzNzI0*_ga*NDIxNDY5OTk2LjE3MzUxMTM3MjU.*_ga_BTRFH3E7GD*MTczNTExNzMzOC4yLjEuMTczNTExNzM0OS40OS4wLjE5NTg3OTY2MDE.
• LR (2024). Lloyd’s Register Type Approval System Test Specification Number 1 Performance and Environmental Test Specification for the following Environmentally Tested Products used in Marine Applications. Retrieved from https://maritime.lr.org/l/941163/2022-01-25/2vkgr/941163/17205332277emGeWvO/Test_Specification_Number_1_July_2024.pdf?_gl=1*1nzekj8*_gcl_au*MTQzNzI4NTQ5OS4xNzM1MTEzNzI0*_ga*NDIxNDY5OTk2LjE3MzUxMTM3MjU.*_ga_BTRFH3E7GD*MTczNTExNzMzOC4yLjEuMTczNTExODE2Ny4yOS4wLjE5NTg3OTY2MDE.
• LR (2020). Lloyd’s Register Type Approval System Test Specification Number 3 Performance Test Specification for Equipment to be used in Marine Applications. Retrieved from https://maritime.lr.org/l/941163/2022-01-25/2vkgm/941163/1643135739ncRaM8bK/Test_Specification_Number_3_December_2020.pdf?_gl=1*2r0uxx*_gcl_au*MTQzNzI4NTQ5OS4xNzM1MTEzNzI0*_ga*NDIxNDY5OTk2LjE3MzUxMTM3MjU.*_ga_BTRFH3E7GD*MTczNTExNzMzOC4yLjEuMTczNTExODE2Ny4yOS4wLjE5NTg3OTY2MDE.
• LR (2016). Battery installations Key hazards to consider and Lloyd’s Register’s approach to Approval Second edition, January 2016 A Lloyd’s Register Guidance Note. Retrieved from https://maritime.lr.org/l/941163/2022-01-25/2vj8h/941163/1643116574RltBQDlU/LR_Guidance_Note_Battery_Installations_single_pages_v2.pdf?_gl=1*15zdivu*_gcl_au*MTQzNzI4NTQ5OS4xNzM1MTEzNzI0*_ga*NDIxNDY5OTk2LjE3MzUxMTM3MjU.*_ga_BTRFH3E7GD*MTczNTEyMTAwNC4zLjEuMTczNTEyMTAzNi4yOC4wLjc1MzI4MjM2OQ..
• RINA (n.d). Hybrid and electrical propulsion. Retrieved from https://www.rina.org/en/hybrid-propulsion-for-yachts
• Türk Loydu (2023). Additional Rules for the Certification, Installation and Testing of Lithium Batteries. Retrieved from https://tlrule.turkloydu.org/Files/2023/12/26/4b8378a3-cd18-4837-bb75-a033bd3c43db.pdf
• Türk Loydu (2024). Kısım 5 – Elektrik Kuralları. Retrieved from https://www.turkloydu.org/pdf-files/turk-loydu-kurallari/cilt-b/kisim-5-elektrik-kurallari-2024-OCAK.pdf