CIMAC and MBF release batteries White Paper

CIMAC and the Maritime Battery Forum (MBF) have issued their second joint White Paper on the environmental and regulatory conditions for deploying battery systems in deepsea shipping. The paper builds on their 2024 study of operational use cases and turns to the regulatory and safety barriers that continue to limit wider adoption.

The authors map the requirements set by flag states, class societies and industry bodies, noting that the existing framework is generally robust for the design, installation and testing of maritime battery systems. They conclude that the main shortcomings lie in operational practice, particularly in the rules governing crew competence.

The study finds that regulations lag behind technological development in areas such as emergency response, safe handling and the integration of battery management within routine operations. The authors examine how responsibilities for training should be allocated and offer practical recommendations intended to help regulators, shipowners and industry groups coordinate future work.

They argue that clearer, mandatory requirements for crew training are essential if battery installations are to be managed safely throughout a vessel’s service life. The paper sets out an overview of the training needs for owners, operators, flag administrations and maritime authorities, with the aim of supporting consistent global standards as battery use expands.