🗓️ June 5, 2025 – Pacific Ocean
A major maritime emergency unfolded this week when the Morning Midas, a large car carrier transporting nearly 3,000 vehicles including 800 electric vehicles (EVs) was abandoned after a massive fire broke out onboard. The incident occurred approximately 480 kilometers south of Adak Island, Alaska, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The 22 crew members were safely rescued by a nearby merchant vessel after emergency firefighting measures failed to contain the rapidly spreading blaze. Zodiac Maritime, the London-based manager of the ship, confirmed that the vessel had been traveling from Yantai, China, to Mexico, after stopping at Shanghai and Nansha ports.
The Morning Midas, a 46,800-ton vessel built in 2006 by Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry in China, now stands as the latest reminder of the mounting risks of transporting electric vehicles by sea.
🔥 EV Fire Risks at Sea Are Growing
Experts have long raised concerns about the fire hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries used in EVs. These batteries can undergo a dangerous chemical reaction known as thermal runaway, during which a fire burns intensely and becomes increasingly difficult to control.
In the tight, steel-lined compartments of cargo ships—where ventilation is limited—this type of fire can escalate rapidly. Suppressing such a fire can take up to 30,000 liters of water, significantly more than conventional firefighting efforts typically require.
⚠️ Not an Isolated Case: A Pattern of Fires on Car Carriers
This is not the first time a car carrier has suffered such a disaster.
In 2022, a ship carrying around 4,000 vehicles in the Atlantic Ocean caught fire and eventually sank despite rescue efforts.
In 2023, another blaze engulfed a ship near the Dutch coast that had nearly 3,000 cars onboard.
These events are prompting serious reevaluation of safety measures in the shipping industry, especially as electric vehicle shipments continue to rise.
🚨 Industry Response and Urgent Need for Solutions
To address these growing dangers, maritime safety groups have released new guidelines for handling EV fires on ships. However, safety experts argue that more robust fire suppression systems, better crew training, and advanced detection technology are still urgently needed.
The ownership of the cars aboard the Morning Midas has not been disclosed. Salvage and firefighting operations are now underway, according to Zodiac Maritime.
🌍 A Wake-Up Call for the Shipping Industry
As electric vehicle demand surges worldwide, so too do the logistical and safety challenges of transporting them across oceans. The Morning Midas fire stands as a stark warning for automakers, shipping lines, and insurers to act quickly and collaborate on better safety standards before another costly disaster occurs.
