Lithium-ion battery incidents in air cargo have risen 40% since 2021, highlighting urgent safety concerns in the shipping industry.
Lithium-ion battery incidents in air cargo have surged 40 percent since 2021, according to a new report by UL Standards & Engagement, reports GlobeNewswire.
The findings, drawn from airline reports in ULSE's Thermal Runaway Incident Program and industry interviews, highlight growing risks as consumer demand for battery-powered products rises. The report cites operational gaps and fragmented oversight as key factors behind unsafe shipments crossing borders undetected.
Bob McClelland, transportation safety lead at UL Standards & Engagement, stated that the rise reflects systemic weaknesses in battery quality, shipper awareness, regulatory oversight, and supply chain accountability. He warned that these issues must be addressed to reverse the trend.
The report found that small shippers often lack hazardous materials expertise, leaving carriers to manage risks they did not create. It also noted geography as a predictor of risk, with more than half of known-origin incidents starting at Asian airports.
UL Standards & Engagement recommended clearer responsibility across the supply chain, stronger education and global coordination, and aligning safety with cost priorities. Emily Brimsek, manager of qualitative insights, emphasized that reducing fire risk is a shared responsibility that must be treated as a necessity rather than luck.
