Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Posted on 07/21/2025 11:38:55 AM PDT by george76
Matson surprised customers this week with an announcement that, effective immediately, it would suspend transporting battery-powered electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles due to the hazardous material classification of their lithium-ion batteries. The ability to ship cars between the mainland of the United States, Hawaii, Guam, and Alaska was an important service both for individuals and car dealers.
In a letter sent to customers, the company writes, “Due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels. Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades.”
The Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association reports there are currently more than 37,000 electric vehicles registered in the state. No figures were reported for Guam, but dealers who spoke with the local media said they regretted the decision, highlighting that EVs are well-suited for driving on the island.
Matson had reported in the past that it had developed a collaborative team approach to tackle the complexities of carrying lithium batteries. It established an Electric Vehicle Safe Carriage Working Group, and said it was participating in external working groups on electric vehicles and lithium batteries.
Shoreside, it said, Lithium Battery Handling Procedure included a review process and a used battery shipment checklist, while for vessels, it developed procedures on how to fight lithium fires and how to prevent them from occurring. This included proper stowage, the use of new tools like thermal imaging cameras to see temperature spikes, and the deployment of the Viking HydroPen, a firefighting tool that replaces the traditional water mist lance and is designed to drill into containers and extinguish fires.
In the letter to customers, it writes, “Matson continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented.”
Reports are citing the recent fire aboard the Morning Midas off the Aleutians and the loss of the vessel, which was carrying EVs and hybrids. It was at least the third major casualty that was linked to EV fires after the fire aboard the Fremantle Highway in 2023 and the loss of the Felicity Ace in 2022. The industry has worked to develop new standards for the transport of EVs and lithium-ion batteries, but in Matson’s case, it has the added danger of container fires because it transports cars placed into boxes, limiting the ability to monitor the vehicles versus car carriers, where they are loaded in large garage-type spaces.
Matson continues to transport conventional cars. It offers the service both trans-ocean and also moves the containers interisland in Hawaii as part of its barge service.
|
|
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
A little late for that. Those procedures should have been determined before the electric vehicles were mass-produced.
The Matson company likely got the increase in the insurance bill and said "no thank you" to electric car shippers.
EXCELLENT! The boondoggle starts to feel repercussions.
Inferior too expensive and dangerous
Let me know when Maersk SeaLand and others do the same.............
Oh noes!!
Oversized electric golf cart fanbois hardest hit...
Did they ever figure out what started that big fire Hawaii?
They might even have to set aside a special area for docking and handling. It screams for a specialized type of containerization.
bttt
When one of those laaaaarge ferries, the kind that carries cars, people, etc first had an EV fire, I came up with a simple solution. All of the EVs should be parked on a flatbed barge and towed behind the ferry. If one or more start to burn, just disconnect the EV barge. No danger to the regular cars and people.
I suppose large shipping could do something similar, like those 18 wheelers that pull double and triple trailers.
Or manufacturing where you plan to sell.
Can the batteries be shipped separately?
Probably won’t be long since they play in the same league as Matson.
I don't see a future without the need to ship large quantities of batteries. Hence, the infrastructure will develop.
How many ships is it now that those infernal things have caught on fire and sunk?
Guam would probably be the perfect place for EVs, along with many other small islands. But getting them there is the problem now.
“Inferior too expensive and dangerous”
Those can be mitigated by virtue signaling.
When they catch on fire you can scuttle them. Problem solved, fire is out. Maybe.
“It screams for a specialized type of containerization.”
Following this ugly crash...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPS_Airlines_Flight_6
UPS did institute a number of changes regarding its shipping containers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.