DR Trans Successfully Transports Lithium Batteries to Russia
Jul 08, 2025
DR Trans Successfully Transports Lithium Batteries to Russia
The Challenge: In July 2025, the DR Trans transportation team received an order from a customer to ship 18 tons of lithium-ion batteries from Shanghai, China, to St. Petersburg, Russia. In the face of record-breaking high temperatures (average temperature 38°C/100°F), how should our team operate to deliver these lithium-ion batteries safely and on time?
Before diving into the details of our specialized procedures, let’s examine the main threats that high temperatures pose to lithium‑ion battery transport.
Summer heat can raise the interior of a sealed trailer to 35°C–40°C, accelerating the battery’s internal chemical reactions. Once ambient temperatures exceed 35°C (95°F), the risk of “thermal runaway”—a self‐sustaining decomposition reaction—rises exponentially. Historical data show that batteries shipped in environments above 30°C have an accident rate about 40% higher than those transported below 20°C.
Using a conventional dry‐van truck, batteries are exposed to several extreme heat sources:
Accumulated heat inside the trailer Poor ventilation can allow packages deep within pallets to reach temperatures above 60°C.
Solar radiation absorption Dark packaging absorbs significant heat during loading, unloading, or roadside stops, further increasing surface temperatures.
Road‐surface radiation Asphalt can run 15–20°C hotter than the surrounding air, subjecting the lowest layers of cargo to additional heat.
Under this combination of high‐temperature stressors, not only does battery performance degrade rapidly, but the temperature also exceeds the IATA/ADR safety thresholds for lithium‑ion battery transport, creating serious safety hazards.
DR Trans Temperature Controlled Transport Solutions
To effectively mitigate the risks posed by high temperatures, our team has chosen to use refrigerated trucks for shipping lithium batteries. Compared to conventional dry vans, refrigerated transport offers significant advantages in temperature control, safety, and thermal management. Here’s how:
Precise Temperature Control: Multi-zone refrigeration systems maintain the cargo environment at a stable 15–20°C, well below the critical threshold for thermal runaway (typically 45–60°C for lithium-ion batteries), significantly reducing risk.
Efficient Insulation: The trailer walls are built with 40 mm polyurethane insulation, which reduces thermal loss by approximately 80% compared to standard containers. The overall heat transfer coefficient is just 0.34 W/(m²·°C), exceeding China’s Class A cold-chain standards.
Emergency Safety System: If internal sensors detect abnormal heat levels, an automatic CO₂ suppression system is triggered to prevent further reaction or escalation.
Refrigerated containers are no longer just for food—they are becoming essential for the safe transport of high-risk lithium-ion batteries in regions with significant climate variability.
How to ship lithium batteries? DR Trans's comprehensive analysis
Route & Regulatory Optimization
For this shipment, the chosen route was: Shanghai → Kazakhstan (Khorgos) → Belarus (Brest) → St. Petersburg, Russia, covering a total distance of approximately 7,200 kilometers.
As a TIR-certified carrier, DR Trans leveraged the advantages of the TIR system to streamline customs procedures. Throughout the journey, customs seals remained intact and were only opened at the origin and final destination. This meant the cargo avoided repeated inspections in transit countries, eliminating unnecessary unloading, exposure, and delays.
Compared to conventional multi-leg ground transport, this solution significantly improved customs clearance efficiency and reduced total transit time by approximately 11 days, not only increasing safety but also allowing customers to better respond to supply chain demands.
This model of “fewer inspections, less idle time, and a tightly controlled customs loop” provides a more secure and predictable route for high-risk cargo, especially temperature-sensitive lithium-ion batteries.
Temperature Control at Different Stages
Phase
Control Measure
Threshold
Pre-loading
24-hour battery acclimation in a cooled warehouse
18–22°C
In-transit
Dual sensors per pallet + satellite tracking
15–20°C (alarm at 25°C)
Border crossing
Auxiliary battery-powered cooling
<30°C for ≤45 mins
Unloading
Temperature validation before seal break
Max ΔT = 2°C
Multi-Layered Safety Design for High-Temperature Transport
For this lithium-ion battery shipment, DR Trans implemented a comprehensive safety system covering packaging, vehicle features, and operational protocols:
Specialized Packaging: Non-conductive PET/FRP liners and terminal protectors were used to prevent short circuits and ensure electrical safety.
Ventilation System: A 6-air-exchanges-per-hour setup continuously dispersed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted during transport, maintaining a safe internal environment.
Trained Personnel: All checks were conducted by ADR-certified drivers, with thermal inspections carried out every 4 hours to monitor and maintain temperature stability throughout the journey.
Performance Backed by Data
100% Temperature Compliance: The shipment maintained a stable range of 20±5°C with zero deviations, fully meeting global standards for shipping lithium batteries.
Faster Delivery: The shipment was completed in just 12 days, which is 32% faster than the industry average of 17.5 days for China–Russia lithium-ion battery transport.
Significant Cost Savings: By utilizing the TIR system and eliminating refrigeration surcharges.
This project further confirms DR Trans’s capability in shipping lithium-ion batteries with a strategy that balances safety, compliance, efficiency, and cost control.
Why This Matters for Your Lithium Battery Shipments
Ensuring Safety in Extreme Conditions Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential
This case study demonstrates that safe, reliable transport of lithium batteries in extreme climates is not only possible but also measurable and repeatable. It’s the result of a carefully engineered approach that includes:
Preemptive Thermal Modeling By analyzing ambient temperature data and vehicle heat distribution, we predict how lithium batteries will respond to environmental stress before the truck even moves.
Multi-Modal Flexibility DR Trans combined refrigerated road transport with a TIR-supported rail segment through Kazakhstan, balancing speed, stability, and cost efficiency.
Regulatory Compliance at Every Step Real-time verification of documentation—including UN3480 declarations—ensures strict adherence to IMDG, ADR, and IATA standards for lithium-ion battery transport.
Beyond the Road: Our Full-Spectrum Lithium Battery Logistics
More Than Trucks—We Offer True End-to-End Capability
As a TIR-licensed logistics provider with over 12 years of experience handling hazardous and temperature-sensitive cargo, DR Trans delivers integrated solutions for global lithium-ion battery shipments, including:
Air & Ocean Transport DG-certified ULD containers equipped with thermal buffers maintain temperature stability during air or sea transit, protecting battery integrity under variable conditions.
Returns & Recycling We provide certified reverse logistics for faulty or end-of-life batteries, in compliance with EU waste codes (e.g., AVV 160 121 / 16 06 05).
Global Reach Our international partner network spans 18 countries, enabling efficient last-mile delivery and customs clearance across multiple regulatory zones.
Ready to Ship Lithium Batteries Safely?
Contact our specialists to design your climate-resilient transport strategy: 📞 +86 13958449762 | ✉️ arthur@dear-railway.com
IPv6 دعم الشبكة
