Maersk has launched a dedicated lithium-ion battery transportation solution within its North American ground freight network (Maersk Ground Freight), designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for safe, compliant, and reliable movement of Class 9 batteries across the continent.

U.S. lithium-ion battery transportation spend is estimated at $2.4–$3.0 billion, based on Dataintelo's 2026 analysis of the global lithium-ion battery logistics market and North America's 27.3% regional share. The new capability positions Maersk to serve a critical and fast-expanding segment of the energy transition supply chain — particularly for automotive, electric vehicle, and advanced manufacturing customers.

Critical infrastructure for the energy transition

The electrification of transportation is one of the defining industrial shifts of this decade. But the batteries powering that shift don't move themselves — they require logistics infrastructure that is safe, specialized, and built to scale.

Maersk Ground Freight's new battery transportation solution is a direct investment in that infrastructure: extending Maersk's dangerous goods expertise from ocean and air into over-the-road logistics, and building the connective tissue that the North American EV supply chain requires.

“The energy transition isn't just about what powers a vehicle — it's about the entire supply chain behind it. Moving lithium batteries safely and at scale requires purpose-built logistics infrastructure, and that's exactly what we've created,” says Bob Livingston, U.S. Head of Maersk Ground Freight Operations.

Purpose-built for safety and compliance

  • 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