Modern lead crystal technology has come a long way since the 1970s. They are being used in overlanding for the "house battery" in dual battery setups without problems, if they can stand up to being pummeled off road for days at a time, I think they can handle being shipped by truck, rail, and ship.
Back in the 70s LC was using glass as an insulator, now they use super absorbent mat (SAM) that is both insulator and cushions against vibration and damage. LC also has a greater operating temperature range, is safer than lithium to transport, costs about 40% what Lithium does; and when it is only producing 12v of power is only half way to being depleted - lithium and lead acid batteries are effectively flat at that point. LC just takes and releases charge better than lithium does.
As for charging, LC doesn't even need onboard battery management systems the way lithium does.