IMDG Code - Battery Design

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code — Lithium Battery Sea Freight

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code is the international regulation for the maritime transport of dangerous goods, developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It specifies classification, packaging, labelling, documentation, and stowage requirements for all dangerous goods carried by sea including lithium batteries. The IMDG Code is given legal force by SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and is mandatory for international maritime transport.

Published by: International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Current edition: IMDG Code Amendment 41-22 (effective 1 January 2023, mandatory from 1 January 2024)
Legal basis: SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Chapter VII
Related standard: UN 38.3 (transport testing prerequisite), UN Model Regulations (UN numbers and packaging)
US domestic equivalent: PHMSA / 49 CFR HMR (governs the same batteries once they move by US road/rail rather than sea)

Scope

The IMDG Code applies to all lithium batteries (lithium metal: UN 3090/3091; lithium-ion: UN 3480/3481) transported by sea in international trade. It covers batteries as standalone cargo, batteries packed with equipment, and batteries contained in equipment. Requirements apply to all vessel types including container ships, bulk carriers, and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels.

Key Requirements for Lithium Batteries

Packing Instructions and Special Provisions

Lithium-ion batteries (UN 3480) are classified as Class 9 dangerous goods. Packing instructions P903/LP903 specify packaging materials, UN-certified packaging performance requirements, and quantity limits per package. Special provision 188 provides relief from full DG requirements for small cells and batteries meeting defined watt-hour limits.

Stowage, Segregation, and Emergency Response

Lithium battery shipments must be stowed away from heat sources and in accessible locations for firefighting. Emergency response information must accompany the consignment. Recent IMDG amendments have tightened stowage requirements for large lithium battery shipments following container ship fire incidents.

Disclaimer: This is not a definitive guide, just an indication and it is important that you always go back to the source for legislation.