Hong Kong lithium-ion battery explosion delays air shipments [Video]

A shipment of loose lithium-ion batteries exploded in a Hong Kong UPS facility last week. We obtained exclusive footage of the explosion:







The accident has caused concern among Hong Kong authorities, who are reportedly set to introduce harsher shipping rules for loose li-ion batteries. Although new regulations haven't been introduced yet, private shipping companies like UPS and FedEx are inspecting li-ion shipments much more stringently - and slowly - than normal.



We are told that lead times will return to normal over the next week, but we expect that all shipments out of Hong Kong will be affected once the new shipping rules are in place. This delay comes after the Golden Week holiday rush, compounding shipping problems.



Let's hope that the new shipping practices can increase safety for everybody.