Several merchant ships have encountered serious fires associated with transport of lithium batteries in various ways.
A lithium battery-related fire on a merchant ship may involve
(1) transport of second-hand electric vehicles
(2) transport of shipping containers with lithium batteries, especially if uncertified
The fire may start with a lithium battery, or the lithium battery may be ignited secondary to another fire.
Once started, a fire involving lithium batteries can have a very high temperature, be difficult to extinguish and be subject to re-ignition.
Management of a lithium battery related fires requires a different response than that used for other fires, and standard fire suppression methods may prove inadequate.
It is uncertain the role of salt water in triggering the fire.
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