Lithium-ion Battery Explosion Leads to Fire on Oil Tanker

WASHINGTON (Nov. 9, 2023) — The thermal runaway of a cell within a handheld radio’s lithium-ion battery led to a fire on an oil tanker last year while docked in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday. The fire resulted in $3 million in damage to the vessel. 

The oil tanker S-Trust was docked at the Genesis Port Allen Terminal on Nov. 13, 2022, when a fire started on the bridge. The fire was caused by one of the cells in a lithium-ion battery for an ultra-high-frequency handheld radio exploding. The batteries and chargers for the handheld radios were located on the communications table on the bridge. The vessel’s crew extinguished the fire. The S-Trust’s navigation, communication and alarm systems were damaged beyond use. No injuries were reported. 

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​Pho​tos from the bridge closed-circuit camera showing (1) a second explosion occurs, (2) an object is propelled on fire into the air (circled), and (3) the object, still on fire, landing on the floor. (Source: Stalwart Management Ltd)

Lithium-ion battery cell explosions are typically caused by a thermal runaway, a chemical reaction that can cause the cell to ignite and explode. A lithium-ion battery cell can spontaneously experience a thermal runaway if damaged, shorted, overheated, defective or overcharged.

Crews can help to prevent thermal runaways and ensuing fires by:

• ​Following manufacturers’ instructions for the care and maintenance of lithium-ion batteries;
• Properly disposing of damaged batteries;
• Avoiding unsupervised charging; and
• Keeping batteries and chargers away from heat sources and flammable materials.
  

“Companies should ensure that lithium-ion batteries and devices that use lithium-ion battery packs are certified by Underwriters Laboratory or another recognized organization,” the report said. 

If a lithium-ion battery fire occurs, crews can attempt to extinguish the fire with water, foam, CO2, or other dry chemical or powdered agents designed for use on Class A (combustible) fires. If the battery fire cannot be extinguished, personnel should attempt to allow the pack to burn in a controlled manner, including by watching for nearby cells that may also experience thermal runaway and extinguishing other combustibles that may catch on fire. 

Marine Investigation Report 23-23 is available online.