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Standards Development
This document specifies the minimum requirements for the training, competence, and assessment of seafarers serving on board ships ships using battery energy storage systems. This document applies to:
Ships utilizing lithium-ion batteries or energy-type supercapacitors as a main or auxiliary power source.
Ships where the total capacity of the power battery group exceeds 100 kWh. Ships equipped with a Direct Current (DC) integrated electric propulsion system.
The rapid electrification of shipping has led to the increasing deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) on board vessels. However, these highvoltage lithiumion installations introduce novel safety risks, including fire hazards from battery layouts, loss of safereturn capability due to battery or control system failure, risks compounded by adverse weather and human error, and accidents during shipshore charging.These hazards demand a substantially higher level of crew competency in both operation and emergency response. In June 2025, IMO approved the Generic interim guidelines on training for seafarers on ships using alternative fuels and new technologies (STCW.7/Circ.25). There lack the technologyspecific details essential for batterypowered ships between the highlevel guidance and the operational reality faced by seafarers.This proposed standard specifies the requirements for seafarers on BESSequipped ships, including training target, curriculum content, virtual simulationbased training, training assessment and training records. It provides a unified, technologyspecific framework for crew training and will support the safe integration of emerging battery technologies, facilitate interoperability of safety procedures among shipowners, training providers, port authorities and emergency services, and promote innovation by fostering a predictable and robust safety culture.
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