On June 3, the Maritime industry faced a significant incident when the vessel Morning Midas, a Liberian-flagged car carrier, was abandoned approximately 300 miles southwest of the Aleutian Islands in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The ship, managed by London-based Zodiac Maritime, caught fire while en route from China to Mexico, prompting a swift rescue operation by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Details of the Incident
The Morning Midas was carrying 3,048 vehicles, including 70 fully electric vehicles and 681 hybrid electric vehicles. Smoke was first detected emanating from a deck containing electric vehicles, raising concerns about the fire’s origin and potential hazards linked to EV batteries onboard. Despite immediate firefighting efforts using onboard systems, the crew was unable to control the blaze, leading to their evacuation.
In coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard Alaska, the crew abandoned the vessel using lifeboats and was rescued uninjured by the containership Cosco Hellas, which has a capacity of 107,500 deadweight tons (dwt). The Coast Guard also dispatched the Cutter Munro, a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Kodiak, and stationed the MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter near Adak, Alaska, to monitor the situation.
Current Status of the Fire and Environmental Precautions
As of June 4, the U.S. Coast Guard reports that the fire on Morning Midas remains uncontrolled, with smoke still visible from the vessel. The ship is known to carry approximately 350 metric tons of gas fuel and 1,530 metric tons of very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO). Emergency response teams continue to monitor the vessel, assessing environmental risks associated with fuel and cargo leaks.
About the Morning Midas
Built in 2006 by Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry in China, the Morning Midas is a twin-screw Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC). The vessel operates under the Liberian flag and was reportedly inspected earlier this year by the U.S. Coast Guard, which found no issues during a January 2025 port safety inspection, despite a previous port state inspection in Bremerhaven in October 2024 highlighting fire safety concerns.
Electric Vehicles and Fire Safety on Ships
This incident underscores ongoing challenges faced by the maritime industry regarding electric vehicles (EVs). EV batteries are known to pose fire risks, especially in confined spaces onboard ships. Incidents involving EV fires aboard vessels have raised alarms among insurers and shipping operators, prompting calls for improved safety protocols in handling and storing electric vehicles at sea.
Conclusion
The Morning Midas incident highlights the complexities of modern maritime cargo transport, especially with the increasing transportation of electric and hybrid vehicles. While the crew was rescued safely, the fire remains a concern, emphasizing the need for rigorous safety measures in shipping electric vehicles and enhanced response strategies for onboard fires.
