ECG — 2025-10-21
News from ECG
To ensure the highest level of security measures in handling Battery Electric Vehicles in maritime transport, ECG publishes recommendations based on the good practices from individual carriers.
The manual is the result of a sub-group of the ECG Quality Group, where shipping lines cooperated to bring together knowledge for the improvement of safety in maritime transport regarding the handling of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) on board vessels.
“On the internet, a wide range of recommendations circulate regarding the management of alternatively powered vehicles, which are often difficult to apply in specific work environments such as ship decks or routes requiring multiple loading/unloading ports with separately managed flows,” says Girolamo Carignani, Head of the Quality & Damage Prevention department of the Grimaldi Group who was behind the creation of the dedicated group. “Given the lack of detailed regulations issued by internationally recognized bodies concerning the handling of electric vehicles throughout the entire logistics chain, it was considered useful to compare the ‘best practices’ independently implemented by individual ocean carriers, with the aim of summarizing them in a single document for the benefit of ECG members and authorities.”
There is an intention to legislate on the various aspects of the transport of BEVs and the publication of a Guidance by the European Maritime Safety Agency in May 2022 was the first important step in this direction. The fire risk of the Alternative Fuel Vehicles, which include BEVs, as well as hybrids and fuel-cell hydrogen vehicles, among others, is perceived as a main safety concern. According to the latest data from ACEA, the share of BEVs on the European market in H1 2025 was 15.6%, compared to 12.5% in the first half of 2024. We can expect their share to grow over the next few years.
The EMSA document was the beginning of the works: as shipping is a global business, the final outcome should come from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Currently works are under way in the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) about fire safety and in the Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) about the safe transport of BEVs. The CCC at its September meeting revised the Special Provisions for the carriage of vehicles which will be further discussed and most probably adopted by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee in May next year. Besides this, a new project, launched by EMSA, is in the pipeline, coordinated by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, to provide further knowledge and guidance on the safe transportation of BEVs in Pure Car and Truck Carrier ships. “ECG is following these developments closely and will keep its members in the Quality Working Group informed,” said Szilvi Kiss, Senior Research & Project Manager.
Samantha Jones, Global Biosecurity & Cargo Quality Manager at Wallenius Wilhelmsen acknowledges the importance of the work done by the ECG sub-group. “Safety is the number one guiding principle at Wallenius Wilhelmsen so we are always keen to collaborate with groups such as the ECG in their vital work. When multiple stakeholders work together to improve safety understanding and alignment it is a benefit for all. Technology regarding BEVs is constantly changing and evolving so to have working guidance on safe handling is extremely beneficial and we welcome the efforts of ECG.”
“This document highlights important insights, such as the correct and easy identification of alternatively powered vehicles,” says Girolamo Carignani about the newly published ECG manual. “The resulting work should absolutely be considered a ‘work in progress’ while awaiting the publication of internationally recognized guidelines that everyone will be required to follow.”
“Almost all shipping line members of ECG participated in the drafting of the short manual and we would like to thank them for their openness and sharing spirit throughout the process,” said Szilvi Kiss. “As it is with all our documentation, as soon as we receive new input, any concerns or remarks, we will initiate further discussions.”
The manual can be accessed on ECG's website.