Regulatory aspects of Electric Vehicles and Fire in Maritime RoRo/RoPax Transports : A pre-study initiated by Lighthouse.

• This pre-study research paper explores the regulatory aspects of electric vehicles in maritime RoRo/RoPax transports, focusing on the risks and effects of electric vehicle fires on board ships. The study highlights concern about the increased risk of transporting electric vehicles and examines various incidents of fires in electric vehicles. The paper discusses the regulatory initiatives taken on different levels and identifies different perceptions of risk and impacts among stakeholders. The study indicates a need for legal tools to deal with the risks and effects of electric vehicles fires and highlights the lack of effective equipment and specific training requirements for handling electric vehicle fires on board vessels. The regulatory standards, including the SOLAS convention and its regulations, are discussed in terms of fire protection measures, but it is noted that these do not specifically address the risks and regulatory needs related to electric vehicles. The research indicates a potential for further investigation into the regulatory aspects and emphasizes the importance of addressing the unique challenges posed by transporting electric vehicles on ships. The pre-study points at the problems and risks associated with fires on car decks of RoRo/RoPax ferries and the regulatory changes and guidelines proposed by various international and governmental organizations. The paper highlights the slow progress in addressing these risks and the need for unified regulations and best practices. It provides a comprehensive review of the initiatives and guidelines set forth by various authorities apart from the ordinary public regulators. Other initiatives come from such bodies as the US Coast Guard, US Department of Transportation, US National Fire Protection Association, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, Class NK, American Bureau of Shipping, and United European Car Carriers, in addressing the risks associated with electric vehicles on ships. The guidelines and best practices encompass a range of aspects such as cargo placement, charging procedures, firefighting systems, safety measures, and preventative actions for different types of vehicles and battery systems. The paper emphasizes the need for unified regulations and the implementation of safety measures to address the risks associated with fires on car decks of vessels. The paper provides a basis for future analyses of the regulatory environment surrounding the transportation of electric vehicles on ships. It accounts for various regulations and guidelines from organizations mentioned above but also such as the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI), Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS), and Steamship Mutual, focusing on safety measures related to electric vehicle transportation. The paper highlights the need for practical rules and standardization in the face of uncertainty surrounding electric vehicle fires on ships. It also discusses the responsibilities and liabilities of manufacturers, sellers, importers, marketers, transporters, and passengers in the event of electric vehicle fires, emphasizing the preventive and reparatory functions of product safety regulation. The study emphasizes the necessity for further research and development of legal tools tailored to address the risks and impacts associated with electric vehicle transportation. It concludes by stressing the importance of adapting existing regulatory frameworks, such as the IMDG code, SOLAS, and fire training regulations, to accommodate the unique challenges posed by shipping electric vehicles. The paper serves as an inventory of norms and regulatory initiatives, providing a basis for further analysis and development of regulatory entities in the context of shipping electric vehicles.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Juridik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Law (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Shipping fires

Electric vehicles fires

SOLAS Convention

Cargo Placement

Product Safety Regulation

IMDG Code Bränder inom sjöfarten

EV-bränder

SOLAS-konventionen

lastplacering

produktsäkerhetsbestämmelser

IMDG-koden

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

rap (ämneskategori)