All 22 crew members aboard a cargo ship transporting thousands of vehicles were rescued after a fire broke out while the vessel was sailing through the North Pacific Ocean. The ship, named Morning Midas, was carrying approximately 3,000 cars—including around 800 electric vehicles—when the fire started.
The incident occurred roughly 300 miles southwest of Alaska’s Adak Island as the ship was traveling from Yantai, China, to the port of Lázaro Cárdenas in Mexico. A nearby merchant vessel, the Cosco Hellas, responded to the distress call and successfully rescued all crew members using lifeboats.
Authorities believe the fire may have originated on a deck where electric vehicles were stored. While the exact cause remains under investigation, lithium-ion batteries—commonly found in electric cars—have been known to pose fire risks during transport. However, no official link has been confirmed at this time.
The U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating with Zodiac Maritime, the ship’s operator, to monitor the situation and assist with recovery plans. Smoke was still visible from the vessel as of the latest updates, and salvage efforts are ongoing.
This incident adds to growing concerns about the challenges of safely transporting electric vehicles by sea, especially as the shipping industry sees a rise in EV cargo. Maritime safety experts continue to call for updated protocols and enhanced fire prevention measures on vessels carrying lithium battery-powered equipment.
