Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries are rechargeable batteries. These batteries have equivalent energy density as lithium-ion batteries but looses its charge more quickly in shelf than lithium-ion batteries.
During transport these batteries do not pose much danger however they can be a concern sometimes.
APL Peru during a voyage experienced fire in cargo hold attributed to two containers carrying Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries. These containers were said-to-contain merely 46 cartons of NiMH batteries only!
There are further cases involving fire due to NiMH batteries, one in a non-live reefer. Considering these experiences and facts IMO DSC agreed to include Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries as Dangerous Goods.
Requirement as per IMDG Code 35th Amendment
35th amendment of IMDG Code came with new entry UN 3496 BATTERIES, NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE, Class 9 with Special Provision 117 and 963 assigned.
Though not subject to any other provisions of IMDG Code these batteries require to meet following provisions
- Shall be securely packed and protected from short circuit.
- When gross mass of nickel-metal hydride batteries per container is 100 Kg of more then they shall be subject to below three requirements :
- Dangerous Goods Declaration
- Inclusion in Dangerous Goods Manifest placed on board vessel
- Stowage “Away from” sources of heat
Example
| Container no. AAAA1234567 | Container no. BBBB1234567 | ||||
| Commodity | Total Package Weight | Requirement | Commodity | Total Package Weight | Requirement |
| BATTERIES, NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE |
99 KG |
NIL | BATTERIES, NICKEL-METAL HYDRIDE |
100 kg Or more |
1.DGD,
2.Include in Manifest 3. Stowage away from sources of Heat |
Now we know that when weight per container is 100 KG or more the changes in requirement is triggered.
However Nickel-metal hydride button cells or nickel-metal hydride cells or batteries packed with or contained in equipment are not subject to any requirement of IMDG Code. Example packed with Radios or Cameras, or Packed inside Radios or Cameras.
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