CINS recommends mandatory declarations for all lithium-ion battery shipments, impacting shipping practices and safety protocols.
The Container Industry Safety organisation (CINS) has issued an advisory recommending mandatory declarations for all lithium-ion battery shipments, including those currently exempt under Special Provision 188 (SP188) of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. This proposal has sparked significant attention within the trade and logistics sectors as it could impact existing shipping practices.
CINS suggests a new standard for SP188 lithium-ion battery shipments, introducing container-level gross weight thresholds. Under this proposal, even cargo under 20 kg would require mandatory declarations, while shipments exceeding 20 kg would need full compliance with IMDG dangerous goods regulations. While this advisory is not yet part of formal IMDG rules, some shipping lines are already tightening booking and declaration practices for lithium battery shipments.
SP188 was designed for small lithium-ion batteries with lower risk profiles, allowing such shipments to bypass full Class 9 dangerous goods declarations. However, CINS highlights that compliance at the individual package level does not mitigate risks when batteries are consolidated in a container. The lack of visibility into the total quantity of lithium batteries within a container poses significant safety risks, especially if thermal runaway or fire occurs. Historical incidents, such as the 2020 X-Press Godavari container fire, underscore these dangers. In that case, 7,000 kg of SP188-compliant lithium batteries amplified the fire risk, despite meeting existing regulations.
Several shipping lines have already implemented stricter requirements. CMA CGM, for instance, now mandates mandatory declarations for all lithium battery cargo, whether classified as dangerous goods or not, including SP188 shipments. Emirates Shipping Line has gone further, phasing out the carriage of SP188 lithium batteries entirely. High-profile incidents, such as the CMA CGM Petra container fire in August 2026, have driven the industry toward greater transparency and traceability.
While SP188 exemptions may evolve into a conditional model, shippers should prepare now. Advance disclosure of lithium battery details, including MSDS and UN 38.3 test reports, is recommended to prevent booking delays. Staying informed about CINS updates and individual carrier policies will be critical as regulatory frameworks continue to tighten.
