As more workboats and vessels move towards battery power, ports and harbours need to be ready for more than just charging. Battery fire safety, berth readiness and emergency response are becoming critical operational issues.
At the same time, UK and European regulation is accelerating the move towards electrification and shore power. This puts a greater pressure on ports to understand what infrastructure, procedures and emergency arrangements they need in place.
Lithium-ion battery fires can behave very differently from conventional fires. Thermal runaway can generate intense heat, toxic gases and the risk of reignition — creating serious challenges for vessel operators, harbourmasters, emergency responders and insurers. So, are our ports ready?
Get Set for Workboat 2050 online conference Batteries & Electrification: Are our ports ready? is a free-to-attend, 45-minute online session looking at what the transition to battery-powered vessels means for ports and harbour operations — and what needs to be considered before more vessels arrive at the berth.
