World Shipping Council urges IMO to close lithium battery cargo loophole

AI Summary

The World Shipping Council is urging the International Maritime Organization to close a loophole that allows lithium battery shipments to be declared as ordinary cargo, posing significant risks. Their call focuses on tightening regulations under Special Provision 188 of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.

The World Shipping Council (WSC), liner shipping’s lobby group, is pressing governments to close what it describes as a dangerous loophole that allows containers packed with thousands of lithium batteries to move as ordinary cargo without carriers being told of the risk. The issue centres on Special Provision 188 of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods …