Cargo ship Morning Midas ignites while transporting electric vehicles

In an alarming incident reported off the coast of Alaska, the Morning Midas, a cargo ship registered under the Panama flag and operated by Zodiac Maritime, caught fire while transporting a significant cargo of nearly 4,000 vehicles, including high-end electric vehicles (EVs) from manufacturers like Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, Bentley, and Lamborghini. The vessel was en route from China to Mexico at the time of the incident, approximately 300 miles south of Adak, Alaska. Smoke was first spotted on a deck loaded with electric vehicles, causing immediate distress and raising concerns regarding the safety of lithium-ion batteries, which are known for their volatility and potential to ignite, combust, or emit toxic gases especially in marine environments, particularly under conditions prevailing at sea. The fire rapidly escalated, prompting all 22 crew members to evacuate the ship using a life raft. They were fortunately rescued without injuries by a nearby merchant vessel, Cosco Hellas. In response to the distress call, three other commercial ships provided assistance, showcasing the quick and selfless actions of maritime personnel during emergencies. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard, monitoring the situation, indicated that it was unclear whether the fire originated from the electric vehicles on board. Even the presence of these vehicles complicated firefighting efforts, as lithium-ion batteries not only burn at high temperatures but can also reignite after suppression. As the fire continued to burn, the Coast Guard opted to let it extinguish on its own due to the risk of explosions from the ship’s lithium-ion cargo. Additionally, the vessel had over 1,800 metric tons of fuel stored, further heightening concerns about potential environmental hazards if the fire were to lead to a more catastrophic situation. The costly implications of the cargo loss were estimated to exceed $400 million, triggering significant concern among insurers and maritime safety experts about the risks associated with transporting lithium-ion batteries by sea. This situation is not unprecedented in maritime history; there have been previous incidents involving cargo ships loaded with electric vehicles, including the Felicity Ace, which burned for nearly two weeks in 2022 before eventually sinking in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in massive financial losses. As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, the incident underscores the need for enhanced safety protocols in the transport of electric vehicles and their batteries to prevent such fires in the future.