The article explains changes affecting shipowners, operators and companies involved in vehicle and battery logistics. It covers vehicle assessments before shipment, revised exemptions and container placarding requirements, as well as new provisions for containerised battery power systems, hybrid batteries and battery reuse. 

Administrations may apply Amendment 43-26, in whole or in part, voluntarily from 1 January 2027. It becomes mandatory on 1 January 2028. Our guidance highlights areas to review when preparing cargo acceptance procedures, classification, declarations, marking and placarding arrangements. 

Contractual solutions

In parallel with the evolving regulatory framework, BIMCO is developing contractual solutions for the carriage of EVs and, as a subsequent step, standalone batteries, including battery energy storage systems (BESS).

The BIMCO Carriage of Electric Vehicles Clause has undergone two reviews by the Documentary Committee in 2026 and has also been considered by our Sounding Board consisting of industry stakeholders with relevant expertise from across the market. We expect to publish it by January 2027.

Work is concurrently underway to bring together appropriate expertise from around the industry for the drafting of a standard clause governing the carriage of standalone batteries, including BESS.