South Korean authorities conducted the first joint public-private fire suppression drill for electric vehicle fires on a passenger ship [1].
The exercise addresses the high risk of battery thermal runaway in electric vehicles, which can lead to large-scale disasters when confined to a vessel. Because these fires are difficult to extinguish, rapid initial response and seamless coordination between agencies are critical to preventing loss of life.
The drill took place on a 20,000-ton passenger ship [1] that operates on the route between Jeju and Wando. The training followed a mandate from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, which made the installation of specialized electric vehicle firefighting equipment compulsory in April 2024 [1].
Multiple agencies participated in the simulation to test the effectiveness of the new equipment and communication protocols. The joint effort included the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Coast Guard, the National Fire Agency, and the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Corporation [1]. Ship-owning and operating companies also joined the exercise to ensure crew members can execute emergency procedures under pressure.
During the simulation, crew members signaled the emergency with shouts of "Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!" to initiate the response chain [1]. The drill focused on the specific challenges of EV fires, where traditional water-based suppression may be insufficient to cool a battery cell undergoing thermal runaway.
The exercise serves as a benchmark for how passenger ships will handle the increasing number of electric vehicles being transported across regional waters. By integrating the efforts of the Coast Guard and fire services, the government aims to standardize the response time and methodology for maritime EV emergencies [1].
“The drill took place on a 20,000-ton passenger ship.”
This transition from mandate to active training indicates that South Korea is treating the proliferation of electric vehicles as a systemic maritime safety risk. By focusing on thermal runaway—a phenomenon where a battery's temperature rises uncontrollably—the government is acknowledging that standard firefighting equipment is inadequate for modern vehicle fleets. The success of these joint drills will likely determine future safety regulations for all passenger vessels operating in Korean waters.
