Accra, Ghana – The Morning Midas, a pure car and truck carrier, has sunk in the North Pacific Ocean after a devastating fire. The vessel, carrying over 3,000 vehicles, succumbed to the combined effects of the fire, severe weather, and subsequent water damage.
Details of the Incident
The fire initially broke out on June 3rd, while the Morning Midas was en route from Yantai port in China to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. The vessel was chartered by SAIC Anji Logistics. Smoke was first detected emanating from a deck loaded with electric vehicles, raising concerns about the potential dangers associated with transporting such cargo.
Despite the crew's valiant efforts to extinguish the blaze, they were ultimately unsuccessful. All 22 crew members were forced to abandon ship as the fire raged out of control.
Vessel Sinks Near Alaska
According to Zodiac Maritime, the company managing the Morning Midas, the vessel sank at approximately 16:35 local time (UTC -9) on June 23rd. At the time of its sinking, the ship was approximately 360 nautical miles from Alaska. The incident resulted in the total loss of all cargo onboard.
Response and Monitoring Efforts
Following the outbreak of the fire, Resolve Marine dispatched three vessels to the scene. One vessel carried specialists tasked with assessing the condition of the Morning Midas, arriving on June 9th. Two tugs equipped with pollution control equipment remain at the site of the sinking, diligently monitoring for any signs of pollution or floating debris.
Zodiac Maritime has also confirmed that a specialized pollution response vessel is en route to the location as an additional precautionary measure. The company expressed its gratitude to Resolve Marine and the United States Coast Guard for their professionalism, swift response, and ongoing collaboration.
Quotes from Zodiac Maritime
"We remain in close coordination with Resolve Marine and the United States Coast Guard, and we extend our sincere thanks for their professionalism, swift response and continued collaboration," stated Zodiac Maritime.
Concerns Over EV Transport Safety
This incident highlights growing concerns regarding the safety of transporting battery electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids on car carriers. In recent years, there have been several fires involving PCTCs (Pure Car and Truck Carriers) transporting these types of vehicles. One notable example is the Felicity Ace incident in February 2022, where a vessel carrying 4,000 VW Group vehicles burned uncontrollably and eventually sank.
Authorities and maritime experts are now calling for more rigorous safety protocols and enhanced firefighting measures to mitigate the risks associated with transporting EVs and hybrids by sea. This includes exploring improved methods for detecting and suppressing fires involving lithium-ion batteries, which are known to be difficult to extinguish.
Impact on the Automotive Industry
The sinking of the Morning Midas represents a significant loss for the automotive industry, with thousands of vehicles now at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. The incident is likely to cause disruptions in the supply chain and potential delays in vehicle deliveries to consumers in Mexico and other markets. The financial implications for the companies involved are expected to be substantial, encompassing the value of the lost cargo, salvage operations, and potential environmental cleanup costs.
- The Morning Midas sank on June 23rd.
- The vessel was carrying over 3,000 vehicles.
- The fire started on June 3rd.
- The ship was en route from China to Mexico.
- Concerns are rising about the safety of transporting electric vehicles.
The investigation into the cause of the fire on the Morning Midas is ongoing and will likely shed light on potential contributing factors and areas for improvement in maritime safety practices.