It was a small but important contribution we made: the air transport of lithium batteries for the 2023 World Solar Challenge in Australia. Because of all the strict regulations, no mean feat! Three parties were involved: client Brunel Solar Team, air cargo agent Niche Aircargo and Special Cargo. The latter two had the knowledge and expertise to take on this challenging assignment. And with success: the shipment arrived safely at Melbourne airport in early September.
Oct. 22 was the day: some 40 race cars from different countries set off from Darwin (northern Australia), to cover a distance of over 3,000 kilometers to Adeleide (South Australia). The special thing about this World Solar Challenge: all the cars are solar-powered. TU Delft’s Brunel Solar Team also participated, with a race car called Nuna 12.
Strict regulations
The team had also developed special batteries for its self-designed race car: 10 lithium-ion batteries between 1.4 and 7.5 kilograms each. But just try to get those to Australia safely and according to strict IATA transport regulations! Those regulations are there for a reason: improper handling of lithium batteries can pose explosion and fire hazards. That requires an expert party, who knows all about preparing these powerful batteries for shipment. “For some service providers a no-go, but for Special Cargo a nice challenge. When it comes to special transports of dangerous goods, companies always know how to find us,” says dangerous goods expert Thomas van Donselaar of Special Cargo Services.
Lithium batteries specialist
How did this project come about? In March of this year, Thijs Paalberg of Brunel came in contact with air freight forwarder Niche AirCargo (a ZooLogistics Company), says director Marc Verhaart. “When I heard that lithium batteries needed to be transported, I immediately thought of Special Cargo, the specialist in preparing dangerous goods for shipment. I called my relation Erik den Dikken, and he immediately put one of his lithium battery specialists on this job.” That specialist was Thomas: “We had to start investigating whether it was possible for us to package, label and document the shipment according to the IATA DGR regulations for air transport of dangerous goods. To do that, we needed a lot of information and all the specifications of the batteries.”
Specifications
Marc: “Brunel was already happy that Special Cargo and we wanted to look into it. The team had already asked several air freight agents, but none of them dared to do it. And if successful, Brunel would save a lot of time compared to the alternative: a transport as sea freight to Australia. That would take weeks.” The necessary information was then exchanged between the three parties. And after studying the specifications, Special Cargo Services’ conclusion was: we can do this! “And if Special Cargo can make the shipment ready for shipment, we can organize air transport and customs clearance without any problems,” Marc said.
The Brunel team had already asked several air cargo agents, but none of them dared.
Plan of action
No sooner said than done. The three parties jointly made a plan of action. So in early September, Special Cargo picked up the batteries in Delft and transported them to Special Cargo Services in Oude Meer. There they are packed in special packaging material for lithium batteries, and provided with all the necessary labels and transport documents. Finally, the entire shipment was ready at Schiphol Airport on Sept. 6 – air-freight packed and documented. Niche AirCargo organized the flight on a Qatar Airways full freighter. This was necessary because the shipment was “Cargo Aircraft Only” and therefore not allowed on a passenger aircraft. On Sept. 9, the consignment auction landed at Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne.
Proud
And how did the Nuna 12 fare? After an exciting race of just under a week, she eventually crossed the finish line in third place. A super-performance! And Special Cargo and Niche Aircargo can look back on their part with pride: “In good cooperation with Brunel, we jointly made this special project a success. We really look back on it with pride,” Thomas and Marc conclude.
Want to know what we can do for safe storage and transportation of your lithium batteries? Please get in touch!
