Safety guidelines for the design, installation, and operation of lithium-ion batteries, as dictated by Amendment 1 of the MGN 550 (applicable to both males and females) regarding electrical installations.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued a new notice, Marine Guidance Note MGN 653(M), to address the safety and handling of lithium-ion batteries on ships. This update comes as part of a broader revamp of UK ship construction and safety regulations, which also encompasses electrical and machinery aspects, codes of practice, and statutory instruments.
The regulations apply to both vessels already fitted with lithium-ion batteries and those intended to be fitted. The focus is on ensuring compliance with international and UK maritime standards, covering safety management, carriage guidelines, risk mitigation, and fire prevention.
One key point in the updated regulations is the adherence to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code provisions for lithium-ion batteries during sea transport. However, recent discussions in the industry have highlighted gaps, such as the lack of regulation on the state of charge of batteries on ships. It is recommended to keep batteries at around 30% charge to reduce fire risk.
In June 2025, the Chemical Distribution Institute (CINS) issued comprehensive guidelines for safely shipping lithium-ion cells in containers. These guidelines include special UN provisions, minimum 30cm spacing between cargo and container walls/ceilings during stuffing, and thermal imaging inspections to detect temperature anomalies during stowage.
The UK government is also advancing legislation such as the Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill, aiming to regulate safe storage, use, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, insurers in the UK have updated their codes of practice to incorporate new standards for the assessment, salvage, and repair of electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries on board.
Fire safety concerns remain paramount, as illustrated by recent yacht fires involving lithium-ion batteries. This underscores the need for strict fire safety protocols, comprehensive insurance coverage, and ongoing crew training about lithium battery risks.
While there is no single consolidated UK regulation exclusively for lithium-ion batteries on ships, the regulatory framework comprises a combination of MCA guidance (MGN 653(M)), adherence to IMO and IMDG Code provisions, industry guidelines like CINS lithium-ion cell shipping standards, new legislative efforts, and insurer protocols addressing safe use, carriage, emergency response, and salvage of such batteries.
Ship operators and stakeholders are encouraged to follow these evolving codes and guidance, monitor regulatory developments, and implement robust risk mitigation measures, including spacing, stowage, detection, fire suppression, and crew training.
[1] Marine Guidance Note MGN 653(M) - Electric Vehicles on Board Passenger RoRo Ferries, UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, 2021. [2] CINS Guidelines for the Safe Shipping of Lithium-ion Cells in Containers, Chemical Distribution Institute, 2025. [3] Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill, UK Government, 2025. [4] Association of British Insurers’ Salvage Code, May 2025 update. [5] Fire Safety Concerns with Lithium-ion Batteries on Ships, International Maritime Organization, 2025.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Marine Guidance Note MGN 653(M) emphasizes the importance of understanding technology, specifically lithium-ion batteries, in ensuring safety onboard ships. The UK government's Lithium-ion Battery Safety Bill also underscores the need for regulations concerning the safe storage, use, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries, which are integrated parts of technology.
%20regarding%20electrical%20installations.){kind=link}