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Certified Remote Inspections

Remote Lithium Battery Cargo Inspections

Certified lithium battery cargo inspections, completed fully remotely. Upload photos or video — our inspectors verify CTU, ISO and IMDG compliance within 1 hour

Schedule Your Inspection
● ISO    ● CTU Code    ● IMDG compliant
1h Guaranteed turnaround

Why Lithium Battery Cargo Inspections

Lithium ion batteries are among the most widely shipped commodity types in global maritime trade. Whether they are integrated into electric vehicles, stored in battery packs for renewable energy, or shipped as lithium cells for electronics, these units are highly regulated for a reason.

A single short circuit, physical damage, or exposure to high temperatures is enough to trigger thermal runaway. Once started, it produces a self-sustaining fire that is nearly impossible to extinguish at sea.

For freight forwarders and carriers, a lithium battery cargo inspection is what stands between a compliant shipment and an uncontrollable one. When a battery failure occurs in the middle of the ocean, there is no easy way out.

The remote difference

Navigating the Risks of Lithium Transport

The transportation of lithium batteries is governed by a standardized set of hazardous materials regulations. From lithium metal batteries to high-capacity lithium ion units, every shipment must comply with the IMDG Code and applicable regulations to mitigate the risk of incidents.

These items are inherently unstable. According to strict shipping regulations, damaged or recalled batteries should never be shipped by sea without specialized, approved disposal and packaging protocols.

As part of a broader portfolio of dangerous goods, hazardous cargo, and battery transport inspections, Nordwatch offers remote lithium battery cargo inspections.

1h

Guaranteed turnaround

100%

CTU · ISO · IMDG aligned
Global
Inspect from anywhere

1 free

Revision included

The remote difference

Inspection Checkpoints for Transporting Lithium Batteries

1
UN 38.3 Testing and Documentation
Every lithium battery must undergo a series of rigorous tests before it is suitable for transport at sea, and Nordwatch helps you verify this compliance efficiently.

These remote inspections validate three essential criteria. They confirm the existence of the UN 38.3 Test Summary to prove the batteries can safely withstand vibration, extreme temperature changes, and impact during transit.

They verify the Watt Hours and Classification, checking the watt-hours for lithium-ion batteries or lithium content for lithium-metal batteries to determine the correct dangerous goods category.

Finally, they review Applicable Regulations to ensure the entire shipment meets the latest International Maritime Organization and IATA standards for multi-modal transport.

2
Physical Condition and Packaging
Without correct packaging, a short circuit presents an immediate loading risk during transit. Our remote inspection directly addresses this hazard by validating three critical safety factors.

They check for Physical Damage by scanning laptops, tablets, cell phones, and bulk battery packs for signs of swelling, leaking, or crushed casings. This assessment specifically covers recalled lithium batteries, ensuring they meet the mandatory strict packaging and disposal requirements before transport.

They verify Insulation to ensure all battery terminals are completely protected, which prevents accidental activation or short-circuiting against other batteries and conductive surfaces.

Finally, they review Labeling Rules to confirm that all hazardous materials labels and handling marks are correctly applied and fully visible on the exterior.

3
Equipment and Facility Compliance
The facility where lithium battery cargo is loaded must meet strict security and safety requirements, which our remote inspection reviews across two critical operational areas.

They evaluate Storage and Handling to ensure lithium-ion batteries and lithium cells are kept in a temperature-controlled environment. This process also checks that they are correctly segregated from other hazardous materials and any sources of physical stress.

Finally, they conduct a thorough Security Verification. This step ensures that no undeclared or malicious items have been introduced into the cargo before dispatch.

Why remote lithium battery cargo inspections

Compliance without the inspector on site

Cost-effective
Eliminating inspector travel significantly reduces inspection costs.
Rapid feedback

Digital inspections deliver results within 1 hour, accelerating cargo readiness.

Avoid port rejections
Early detection and correction prevent costly delays and port rejections.
Global access
Clients worldwide can access inspections without logistical constraints.

Dangerous goods

The Reality of Battery Incidents

Lithium battery incidents at sea are on the rise, and carriers are under growing pressure to ensure that every shipment meets the required standards before it is accepted for loading.

Shippers who cannot demonstrate verified, documentation-backed compliance risk rejection at the port, delays, and exposure to legal liability.

Non-compliance with hazardous materials regulations leads to:

✓ Vessel fires that can result in a total loss of cargo and vessel.
✓ Heavy penalties and legal investigation by maritime and customs authorities.
✓ Immediate blacklisting by major carriers and insurance providers.

Differentiating lithium battery cargo from other inspections

Differentiating lithium battery cargo from other inspections

Lithium battery cargo is one of several remote inspections we run

Vanning
Comprehensive assessment inside containers, verifying securing, lashing and documentation.
Tailgate
Quick visual checks from container doors, ensuring basic cargo arrangement and correct placarding.
Dangerous Goods
Verification of dangerous goods cargo, ensuring correct documentation, marking, and compliance.
Flatrack
Specialized inspection ensuring correct lashing and securing of cargo on open flatrack containers.

Who it’s for

Staying Ahead of the Lithium Battery Transportation Risks

None of these outcomes are inevitable. Early identification of defective units and compliance gaps is what keeps an operation running safely.

Nordwatch provides the remote verification needed to ensure that transporting lithium batteries does not become a source of obstacles.

Our inspections give freight forwarders and carriers the documented evidence required to move lithium batteries through the supply chain with confidence.

✓ 1-Hour Feedback
✓ Expert Assistance
✓ Global Scale
Certified inspectors · rigorous standards
Until recently, verifying lithium battery cargo meant waiting for a specialist to be mobilized to the terminal or facility. This added days to the process and introduced uncertainty at a stage where getting it right is necessary.

At Nordwatch we do it differently. Submit your test summary, packaging photos, and documentation via our website. Our experts verify the shipment and provide a report within 60 minutes. Our team provides helpful information on labeling rules and disposal requirements to help you comply with global standards.

Get Verified. Compliant. Ready to Ship.

Whether you are shipping small devices or industrial battery packs, our remote inspections provide the security service you need to protect your business.

Ensure your batteries are sea-ready. Get in touch with Nordwatch and have your lithium battery cargo verified before the next voyage.

Schedule Your Remote Inspection