2026-03-23
Recently, the proposal titled "Information on Safety Practices for Lithium-Ion Battery-Powered Passenger Ships in China's Pearl River," led by the Guangzhou Maritime Safety Administration (MSA), was successfully selected for the 12th session of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE).
As the first proposal submitted by the Guangzhou MSA to the IMO under the agenda item "Development of a regulatory framework to support the use of new technologies and alternative fuels to reduce ship GHG emissions," focusing specifically on ships with battery energy storage systems, this document is grounded in nearly six years of safe operational practices of battery-powered passenger ships in the Pearl River night tour sector. It systematically summarizes innovative approaches in ensuring the continuity of ship power systems, implementing graded and classified management of alarm information, and mitigating risks related to cybersecurity and system updates.
Battery-powered ships are an emerging type of new energy vessel offering advantages such as zero emissions and low noise. However, they also present new challenges regarding power system reliability and battery safety monitoring. Over the past six years, the Guangzhou MSA has prioritized the safety supervision of battery-powered passenger ships, adhering to a principle of balancing regulation with service. By pooling expertise from the MSA, classification societies, research institutions, equipment manufacturers, and shipping companies, the administration has continuously tackled new safety regulatory challenges. Key achievements include developing zoned power supply models for electric ships, implementing graded alarm management systems, and establishing "full-cycle and specialized" training programs for crew members. These efforts have gradually established a distinctive Guangzhou brand for the safety supervision of battery-powered passenger ships.
