Lithium battery fire forces closure of multiple terminals at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach
Last Thursday, a trailer carrying large lithium-ion batteries overturned and caught fire on a highway near the Port of Los Angeles. The fire was difficult to control and was expected to burn for 24-48 hours, resulting in traffic jams, road closures, and the closure of several terminals. The accident is yet another warning about the safety of lithium battery transportation, adding to tensions in the global supply chain.
A semi-truck carrying six large lithium-ion batteries overturned on the 47 Freeway near the Port of Los Angeles, which subsequently caught fire, causing severe traffic congestion and road closures, and forcing multiple docks at the Port of Los Angeles to shut down. The incident occurred in the San Pedro community. While there were no reported injuries, one of the batteries exploded, triggering a “thermal runaway” situation, with flames reaching up to 10 feet high. The fire quickly spread and was difficult to control.
The Los Angeles Fire Department announced in a statement on Thursday evening that the fire is expected to continue burning for at least 24 to 48 hours. During this time, approximately seven miles of Interstate 47 from the Vincent Thomas Bridge to Long Beach will be closed. Given the dangers and difficulties associated with lithium battery fires, firefighters have adopted a strategy of allowing the fire to burn itself out to avoid environmental hazards and the ineffectiveness of using water to extinguish the flames. As of Thursday night, bidirectional traffic between the 47 Freeway and the 110 Freeway remains closed. Traffic is congested on the segment of Harry Bridges Boulevard heading to Anaheim Street, and there are significant delays on the Pacific Coast Highway and in Wilmington. Officials stated that the Vincent Thomas Bridge may remain closed for up to 48 hours.
The Port of Los Angeles, one of the busiest ports in the Western Hemisphere, announced the closure of several terminals, including APM Terminal, Fenix Marine, Everport, and Yusen Terminal, in response to the emergency situation at the accident site. Despite the closure of some terminals, TraPac and West Basin Container Terminal (WBCT), as well as the World Cruise Center, remain open. Meanwhile, officials from the California Department of Transportation and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services are closely collaborating with on-site emergency responders to monitor the fire and assess the damage. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also took swift action to establish a fire scene perimeter and deployed a hazardous materials response team for assistance.
It is worth noting that a similar incident occurred in July of this year, when a truck carrying lithium-ion batteries overturned and caught fire while in transit. This event directly led to the closure of a major transportation route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas—Interstate 15—for up to 48 hours. Given the recent frequency of lithium battery-related incidents at domestic and international ports, particularly in high-temperature weather, this incident serves as another warning regarding the safety of transporting lithium batteries and hazardous materials.
This event not only impacted operations at the Port of Los Angeles but also coincided with potential strike risks at major container ports along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, further exacerbating tensions in the global supply chain. To mitigate risks, importers have redirected some shipments to the West Coast, resulting in the throughput at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach nearing record levels seen during the pandemic.
Although the Port of Long Beach stated that overall cargo volume is not expected to be significantly affected, T Terminal and A Terminal will be closed during the daytime shift on 27th (from 8 AM to 5 PM) to ensure safety. However, other container terminals, including LBCT, ITS, PCT, and SSA at C Terminal, will continue normal operations. Port authorities have also advised drivers to use alternative routes to alleviate traffic pressure in the affected areas.
As the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach continue to experience record throughput growth in 2024, this incident undoubtedly presents challenges for these two critical logistics hubs. However, through the collaborative efforts of port authorities, container terminal operators, union officials, and other stakeholders, active measures are being taken to address the crisis, ensuring safety and minimizing the impact on port operations.
