Regulatory and Compliance Assessment for Onboard Marine Battery Storage

A global maritime group sought Stellarix’s assistance in evaluating regulatory and compliance requirements for onboard BESS. Our industry expertise provided a thorough overview of current requirements and upcoming regulatory changes affecting marine BESS deployment and clarified safety standards for onboard BESS installation and reuse approval.

Client Background:

The client is a global maritime technology and vessel electrification group that supports ferry operators, harbor authorities, and shipyards in the transition to battery-electric and hybrid propulsion.

Engagement Objective:

The client sought to assess the regulatory and compliance requirements governing onboard battery energy storage systems, with particular focus on battery safety and vessel integration.
The assessment required evaluating the IMO and SOLAS framework, marine battery safety standards, classification society requirements, and battery system approval requirements, including implications for existing vessels being retrofitted with BESS.

Client Impact:

1. IMO & SOLAS Compliance Assessment – Assessed the current IMO and SOLAS framework governing battery-powered vessels and tracked the emerging SOLAS II 1/41 amendments addressing batteries as the main source of electrical power and lighting, highlighting current requirements and forthcoming regulatory changes affecting marine BESS deployment.

2. IEC 62619 / IEC 62620 Safety Assessment – Mapped IEC 62619 and IEC 62620 requirements covering lithium battery safety, testing and performance for marine applications, establishing the applicable technical requirements across cells, modules and battery systems for subsequent design assessment and certification activities.

3. Subsidy and Use Case Assessments – Evaluated DNV, ABS, LR, and BV requirements for marine battery installations, covering EES space design, ventilation, fire protection, thermal propagation, BMS, and monitoring, thereby defining the classification and certification requirements that need to be addressed before onboard BESS installation and reuse approval.