Municipal authorities in the South Korean port city of Busan have designed a flame-retardant and insulated container to ensure that lithium-ion batteries can be transported safely, considering the fire risks of such batteries.
This project was promoted through South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT’s scheme to develop technologies to solve business challenges.
Equipped with blockchain technology, the so-called “smart container” was a response to recent fires on container ships where lithium-ion batteries were suspected to be the culprits.
The Busan municipal authority said: “In the case of batteries, the risk of fire is high, so if the transportation system is not properly established, environmental pollution in the region will continue to occur. The participating companies have developed containers and containers that protect and monitor the status of batteries, applied special materials for insulation and flame retardancy, and developed technology to manage blockchain-based data.”
Since ship fires are difficult to extinguish even with professional firefighters, slow extinguishment can cause more serious damage, sensors have been installed.
There are plans to pilot the containers for Busan-Singapore shipments. Busan is a key logistics hub for lithium-ion battery exports, as South Korea is home to major battery makers such as LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK Innovation. LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK Innovation will use the containers to test out the shipping of electric vehicle batteries.
Authorities said the smart container is in an early stage of commercialisation, and the blockchain company that participated in the project has attracted some investors.
Busan’s financial startup policy officer Nam Dong-woo said, “Busan port expects to see a rapid increase in the volume of lithium-ion batteries distributed domestically and internationally, so the development of technology for safe battery transportation is essential.”