集装箱式锂电池储能系统海上运输风险

近些年来，集装箱式锂电池储能系统（以下简称“储能集装箱“）CONTAINERIZED BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS (BESS)海上运输需求显著增长。然而，由于储能集装箱具有较高的安全风险属性，其运输给海上安全带来了新的挑战。

集装箱式锂电池储能系统指安装并固定在经特殊设计的集装箱运输组件中含有锂电池组、锂离子电池组或锂金属电池组的移动供电装置。根据《国际海运危险货物规则》（IMDG Code），储能集装箱被归类为第 9 类危险货物，联合国编号为 UN3536。

储能集装箱海运主要存在以下风险：

锂电池作为储能系统的核心组件，具有能量密度高、输出功率大的特点，但其安全性直接决定了整个储能系统的安全。热失控是锂电池火灾的主要原因，可能由外部因素（如碰撞挤压、过充、过放、外短路、外部高温烘烤）或内部因素（如电池设计缺陷、制造瑕疵）引发。

由于储能系统尺寸和质量均较大，单体重量通常在 30 吨以上。因此在装卸和运输过程中面临掉落、冲击、振动的风险较高。这些情况可能导致箱体变形或损坏，进而引发内部锂电池受到碰撞挤压，增加热失控的风险。

锂电池火灾与传统火灾不同，具有燃烧温度高、扑救难度大、易复燃、蔓延迅速等特点。锂电池甚至可以在无氧气供应或无明显火焰的情况下持续燃烧，增加了火灾控制的复杂性。

储能集装箱的海上运输安全受多种因素影响，包括系固绑扎的可靠性、船体倾斜和震动、电池短路或过充、人员操作规范性以及航行中的气象和海况条件等。

目前，储能集装箱海上运输需满足《国际海运危险货物规则》的相关规定，然而相关要求相对宽泛，储能集装箱海上运输仍存在一定的隐患。

储能集装箱海上运输风险管控需要从技术、操作、管理和应急响应等多方面入手，确保运输过程中的安全性和可靠性。以下是具体的风险管控措施：

储能集装箱需选择符合国际标准（如 UN38.3、IEC 62619）的锂电池，确保电池设计合理、制造工艺可靠。同时运输前需对锂电池进行充放电测试、短路测试、振动测试等，确保其运输安全性。

在船舶上合理分布储能集装箱的重量，避免局部超载。需使用高强度绑扎设备（如链条、绑带）将集装箱牢固固定在船舶甲板上，防止运输过程中移动或倾倒。

安装温度传感器、烟雾探测器和自动报警系统，实时监控电池状态。船上需配备适用于锂电池火灾的灭火设备（如 D 类干粉灭火器、惰性气体灭火系统）。并制定详细的火灾应急响应计划，包括隔离火源、疏散人员和联系岸上支持。

选择适航性强、稳定性高的船舶，避免在恶劣海况下航行。并实时监控船舶的倾斜、振动和温湿度，确保运输环境符合要求。

集装箱式锂电池储能系统的海上运输风险管控需要综合运用技术手段、管理措施和应急响应策略。通过严格的质量控制、规范的运输操作、先进的监控技术和完善的应急预案，可以有效降低运输风险，确保储能系统的安全运输。

Risk Analysis of Containerized Battery Energy Storage Systems during Maritime Transportation

In recent years, the demand for maritime transportation of Containerized Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) has grown significantly. However, due to the high safety risks associated with Energy storage containers, their transportation poses new challenges to maritime safety.

BESS refers to a mobile power supply device with lithium battery packs, lithium-ion battery packs, or lithium-metal battery packs installed and secured within specially designed container transport components. According to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), BESS is classified as Class 9 hazardous goods, with the United Nations number UN3536.

The maritime transportation of BESS primarily involves the following risks:

1. Lithium Battery Safety Risks

Lithium batteries, as the core component of energy storage systems, are characterized by high energy density and power output. However, their safety directly determines the overall safety of the energy storage system. Thermal runaway is the primary cause of lithium battery fires, which can be triggered by external factors (such as collision, compression, overcharging, over-discharging, external short circuits, or exposure to high temperatures) or internal factors (such as design defects or manufacturing flaws).

2. Overweight Risks

Due to the large size and mass of energy storage systems, individual units usually weigh over 30 tons. They face higher risks of dropping, impact, and vibration during loading, unloading, and transportation. These situations may lead to deformation or damage of the container and cause the internal lithium battery to be squeezed by collision, increasing the risk of thermal runaway.

3. Fire Safety Risks

Lithium battery fires differ from traditional fires, with high combustion temperatures, difficult to extinguish, easy to reignite, and rapid spread. Lithium batteries can even burn continuously without an oxygen supply or visible flames, complicating fire control efforts.

4. Transportation Environmental Risks

The safety of maritime transportation for BESS is affected by multiple factors, including the reliability of lashing and securing, ship tilting and vibration, battery short circuits or overcharging, personnel operation standardization, and meteorological and sea conditions during navigation.

Currently, the maritime transportation of BESS must comply with the relevant regulations of the IMDG Code. However, the relevant requirements are relatively broad, leaving some potential hazards unaddressed.

To ensure the safety and reliability of containerized lithium battery energy storage systems (BESS) during maritime transportation, risk management must address technical, operational, administrative, and emergency response aspects. Below are specific risk control measures:

1. Lithium Battery Safety Risk Control

BESS must select lithium batteries that comply with international standards (e.g., UN38.3, IEC 62619) to ensure rational design and reliable manufacturing processes.Prior to transportation, lithium batteries must undergo performance tests such as charge-discharge tests, short-circuit tests, and vibration tests to verify their safety during transit.

2. Overweight Risk Control

Distribute the weight of BESS containers evenly across the vessel to avoid localized overloading.Secure containers firmly to the ship’s deck using high-strength lashing equipment (e.g., chains and lashing straps) to prevent shifting or tipping during transportation.

3. Fire Safety Risk Control

Install temperature sensors, smoke detectors, and automatic alarm systems to monitor battery conditions in real time.Equip the vessel with lithium battery-specific fire suppression equipment, such as Class D dry powder fire extinguishers and inert gas fire suppression systems.Develop detailed fire emergency response plans, including procedures for isolating fire sources, evacuating personnel, and contacting onshore support.

4. Transportation Environmental Risk Control

Select seaworthy and highly stable vessels to avoid navigation in adverse sea conditions.

Continuously monitor the vessel’s tilting, vibration, and temperature/humidity levels to ensure compliance with transportation environmental requirements.

The maritime transportation risk management for containerized lithium battery energy storage systems requires a comprehensive integration of technical measures, administrative protocols, and emergency response strategies. Through strict quality control, standardized transportation procedures, advanced monitoring technologies, and comprehensive emergency plans, transportation risks can be effectively mitigated, ensuring the safe delivery of energy storage systems.