Car Carrier Sinks in Pacific Ocean After Blaze Linked to Electric Vehicle Cargo
A dramatic incident unfolded in the Pacific Ocean late Monday when the Morning Midas, a car carrier transporting electric vehicles (EVs), sank after a fire raged on its deck for weeks.
The 600-foot-long vessel, which had been adrift since June 3, succumbed to heavy weather and sank approximately 400 miles off the Alaska coast. This event, reported by The Wall Street Journal, raises critical questions about the safety of shipping EVs and the challenges of managing lithium-ion battery fires, a concern growing among EV owners and enthusiasts.
UPDATE: PHOTOS OF TESLA’S FIRST FULLY AUTONOMOUS MODEL Y DELIVERY
The Incident and Technical Challenges
The Morning Midas, operated by London-based Zodiac Maritime, caught fire on June 3, forcing the crew to abandon ship. The blaze, which investigators are still probing, involved a cargo of 3,000 cars, including around 800 EVs, most manufactured in China and destined for Mexico.
The ship’s sinking leaves few clues about the fire’s origin, but the presence of lithium-ion batteries—known for their flammability—complicates the narrative. These batteries power EVs and can ignite intensely, releasing toxic fumes and resisting traditional firefighting methods. The U.S. Coast Guard captured images of smoke billowing from the vessel earlier this month, highlighting the severity of the blaze.
Industry experts note that such fires pose unique challenges. The Morning Midas drifted for over three weeks, a period during which the fire likely worsened due to the batteries’ chemical reactions. Zodiac Maritime stated, “Fire damage, compounded by heavy weather, caused the ship to sink about 400 miles off the Alaska coast.” This incident echoes a 2022 event when a 60,000-ton cargo ship, the Panama-flagged Felicity Ace, sank in the Atlantic Ocean after a lithium-ion battery fire burned for a week, delaying salvage efforts.
Industry Trends and Safety Concerns
The sinking of the Morning Midas underscores a rising trend in the maritime industry: the increasing transport of EVs, which rely on lithium-ion batteries. These batteries, while efficient, are highly flammable, as noted in the source material: “The lithium batteries used in many electric vehicles are highly flammable.” Insurer Allianz warned last month in a report about the dangers of shipping vehicles with these batteries, citing several fires and near misses in the maritime and logistics industries that were linked to batteries.
For EV owners and enthusiasts, this incident highlights the need for improved battery safety standards and shipping protocols. The economic impact could be significant, with the loss of 3,000 vehicles potentially costing millions of dollars. Manufacturers and shipping companies may face pressure to adopt advanced fire suppression systems or redesign battery casings to mitigate risks during transit.
Implications for EV Owners and the Industry
This event may spur discussions among EVXL readers on battery management and insurance coverage for EV-related incidents. The difficulty in extinguishing battery fires could prompt regulatory bodies to update guidelines for transporting EVs, ensuring safer practices across the supply chain. As investigations continue, the maritime industry and EV sector will likely collaborate to address these challenges, protecting the growing market for electric vehicles worldwide.
See more here Evxl.co
Please Donate Below To Support Our Ongoing Work To Defend The Scientific Method
PRINCIPIA SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL, legally registered in the UK as a company 
incorporated for charitable purposes. Head Office: 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX.
Trackback from your site.
Ken Hughes
| #
These articles all make the same omission. What happens when one goes off on a ferry?
Reply
Ken Hughes
| #
These articles all make the same omission. What happens when one goes off on a ferry?
Reply
Aaron
| #
How long before these carriers refuse to transport them
Reply
Mike J
| #
Or insurance companies refuse to insure them
Reply
Seriously
| #
But why would they? Are you the only one who’s home insurance, auto insurance (mandatory by law for most of us) to carry, has not gone up 100% in the last 2 years? Mine have…and i know that money is to cover their losses…in life insurance payouts they’ve had to make from excess deaths, ev fires, etc. They tell us it’s ‘wildfires’, driving rates and canceling policies…but only the rich live in these communities…surely they should be the only one’s paying….the beachfront properties hit by storm surges, hurricanes, and then REbuilt!! Insurance is just another outrageous, legal Ponzi sceam…
Reply
Mike J
| #
In Ohio my insurance has increased over time but not doubled over the past few years. Now my property taxes on the other hand have gone up about 30% this past year. Another stupid negative feedback mechanism – why make major home improvements when that’ll just cause my taxes to increase…
Reply