Cargo forwarders take the admin out of shipping. They receive freight into bonded areas from senders, and take care of customs and other legalities. Then they hand consignments to shippers to take them further on their journey, or deliver them to their destination. Air Cargo World reported on January 28, 2020 forwarders want a lithium battery checklist to improve air cargo safety.
Why do Forwarders Want a Lithium Battery Checklist?
Cargo forwarders don’t actually ship the goods. However, common sense dictates they take precautions to ensure the cargo they forward is safe to load. Lithium battery airfreight, as we know has been in the news lately. Therefore, they have no option. It follows they must take precautions.
However, the dangerous goods shipment standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) do not address lithium batteries. Nor has the International Air Transport Association (IATA) published a standard. We agree this situation needs working on. After all, cargo forwarders process a very wide variety of consignments and they can’t know everything.
Why Then are Lithium Batteries Not on the List?
IATA has standards in place for radioactive, nonradioactive, and dry ice consignments. However, Air Cargo World cites the IATA assistant director of cargo safety and standards admitting lithium batteries pose hazards. Is this a question of administration lagging?
We support IATA’s efforts to promote air travel safety which they do so effectively. However, that said we already know that lithium-ion batteries can short circuit and enter thermal runaway. This is a situation where a battery releases all its energy instantly emitting high heat.
Therefore, it’s perfectly logical to us that forwarders want a lithium battery checklist, so they know what to look for. We support the call for them to work closely with their shippers. And for IATA to blacklist those who do not declare their lithium battery cargo.
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Preview Image: Loading Cargo Aircraft
