Efforts to regain control of the burning car carrier Morning Midas have encountered serious delays. According to current estimates, rescue teams will not reach the drifting vessel until Monday, June 9—almost a full week after the crew abandoned ship.
Zodiac Maritime, the vessel’s Panama-flagged operator, confirmed that Florida-based Resolve Marine has been appointed to manage the salvage and fire suppression operation. However, due to the vessel’s remote location—about 300 nautical miles southwest of Adak Island in the Aleutian chain—the first salvage tug with firefighting equipment is not expected to arrive before June 9.
What Happened
The ship caught fire on June 3 en route to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. On board were:
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70 fully electric vehicles (EVs)
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680 hybrid vehicles
The crew activated the ship’s emergency fire suppression systems, which Zodiac Maritime stated were fully functional. However, the intensity of the blaze forced the crew to abandon ship for their safety.
Successful Crew Evacuation
All crew members were safely evacuated using lifeboats and rescued without injury by the COSCO Hellas containership, which responded to the distress call relayed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Vessel Still Afloat, Fire Still Active
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Morning Midas remains afloat and is being tracked via satellite. An aerial inspection confirmed that smoke is still rising from the vessel, though no signs of marine pollution have been observed. An additional ocean-capable firefighting tug is being dispatched to support the operation.
Cause of Fire Under Investigation
The vessel was carrying a large number of EVs, raising concerns over the potential role of lithium-ion battery fires. The cause of the fire and the status of the cargo are still under investigation.
EV Fire Risks in Maritime Transport
This incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries—an uncontrollable reaction that can lead to extreme heat, explosions, and fires. In 2024 alone, 250 fire incidents were reported globally, marking a 20% increase from 2023, according to a recent Allianz Shipping Safety Review.
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Extinguishing an EV fire at sea can require up to 136,000 liters of water over 4 hours
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In comparison, fires involving traditional internal combustion engines may need only 10,000–17,000 liters over 30 minutes
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Battery failures can release up to 6,000 liters of toxic gas per kWh, including hydrogen fluoride
Industry Calls for Safety Overhaul
The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has called for urgent improvements, including:
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Advanced fire detection systems
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Specialized suppression solutions for EV cargo
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Fire-resistant deck coatings and thermal cameras
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Pre-loading inspections and better charge-level management
Some operators, like Höegh Autoliners and Wallenius Wilhelmsen, have already begun investing in upgraded fire safety measures to mitigate these growing risks.
