How did a fire turn a state-of-the-art car carrier into a drifting wreck?
The Morning Midas, managed by Zodiac Maritime, caught fire on 3 June while transporting approximately 3,048 vehicles (including around 800 EVs) from China to Mexico. After the blaze couldn’t be controlled, the 22-strong crew abandoned ship and was rescued safely. The vessel subsequently sank in the North Pacific after drifting for weeks.
🔥 Fire Outbreak & Emergency Response
- Smoke was first spotted onboard the car carrier’s electric-vehicle deck, prompting an emergency response from Zodiac’s firefighting systems.
- Despite efforts, the fire spread, forcing the crew to evacuate via lifeboat and be rescued by the containership Cosco Hellas.
🛥️ Salvage Mission & Vessel Drifting
- First salvage tug arrived mid-June to take on the burning vessel. Subsequent tugs from Resolve Marine reinforced the tow.
- The Morning Midas continued to smoulder and drift roughly 340 miles southwest of Adak Island. Despite the intensity of the fire, no significant water ingress was observed.
🌍 Risks and Industry Implications
- The blaze highlights persistent dangers in shipping vehicles—especially electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries, which require specialised firefighting strategies.
- This incident follows previous high-profile fires aboard car carriers, including deadly outbreaks in 2022 and 2023.
- Following industry safety reviews, some shipping operators have begun to avoid EV cargo entirely, but demand continues to necessitate improved fire-response protocols.
“Smoke was seen coming from the deck carrying electric vehicles… crew initiated emergency procedures but the flames could not be contained.”
— Zodiac Maritime statement, as reported by AP News
Cargo insurers, shippers, and maritime safety agencies: it’s time to elevate EV-fire protocols, upgrade vessel fire systems, and ensure swift rescue strategies for dangerous drifts at sea.
