A.P. Moller – Maersk has launched a dedicated lithium-ion battery transportation solution within its North American ground freight network designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for safe, compliant, and reliable movement of Class 9 batteries across the continent.
The new capability positions the company’s Maersk Ground Freight division to serve a critical and fast-expanding segment of the energy transition supply chain — particularly for automotive, electric vehicle, and advanced manufacturing customers. Demand is growing fast in that area because the electrification of transportation is one of the defining industrial shifts of this decade, Maersk said.
The move extends Maersk’s dangerous goods expertise from ocean and air into over-the-road logistics, and builds the “connective tissue” that the North American EV supply chain requires. Specifically, the program is built around strict eligibility and documentation standards, including:
- New batteries only — no damaged, defective, recalled, returned, or waste units accepted
- State of Charge (SOC) maintained between 10%–60% for all outbound shipments
- Full documentation required for every shipment: Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Dangerous Goods Declaration, UN 38.3 Test Summary, SOC declaration, and watt-hour rating
- Hazmat-trained drivers across the network, with no DOT placarding or CDL hazmat endorsement required under U.S. DOT regulations
- Cross-border capability across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with compliance protocols tailored to each jurisdiction
