A fire broke out on August 9, 2024, at approximately 1:40 local time, aboard the YM Mobility, operated by Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp, at the Port of Ningbo.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was sparked by an explosion in a container carrying hazardous materials. As reported by Reuters, the Ningbo Maritime Search and Rescue Centre confirmed that the cargo included lithium batteries and tert-Butyl peroxybenzoate, a highly flammable organic compound.
What starts a lithium battery fire?
Thermal runaway is a commonly used term in this context, but what does it actually mean? Essentially, it refers to a situation where a battery experiences a series of reactions that cause its temperature to rapidly increase, potentially leading to a fire or explosion. There are several factors that can trigger thermal runaway, such as overcharging or physical damage to the battery. Additionally, if the battery design is flawed and the separators that keep the positive and negative electrodes separate fail, it can start a chain reaction. High temperatures can also initiate thermal runaway, which becomes particularly problematic if they are stored closely together, as fire can easily spread in such situations.
Fortunately, there were no reported casualties among the ship’s 20 crew members or dock workers, all of whom were safely evacuated. Yang Ming stated that immediate fire control measures were enacted, and as of the latest updates, visible flames have been extinguished, with cooling efforts still ongoing. Six tugboats were dispatched to safeguard the vessel and assist with the situation.
Footage from China Central Television (CCTV) captured the moment of the explosion, which sent cargo flying and created a substantial plume of black smoke. The shockwave from the blast was felt over a kilometer away, causing damage to some nearby offices, including broken windows and minor structural issues in a canteen located in a nearby facility.
As the situation continues to develop, Yang Ming has committed to updating stakeholders on the vessel’s status, cargo transshipment, and necessary schedule adjustments. The shipping firm is prioritizing the safety of all personnel and the integrity of the vessel as they navigate the aftermath of this incident.
The YM Mobility was on a route servicing the Far East to/from Middle East trade lane, known as CGX, at the time of the incident. Yang Ming has yet to release a statement regarding the potential for vessel repairs and cargo recovery but emphasizes their commitment to transparency as investigations proceed.
Yang Ming is expected to release further updates as more information becomes available.
