The US Coast Guard evacuated the crew of a car carrier loaded with thousands of internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles (EVs) after a fire broke out on board on Tuesday.
The vessel, Morning Midas, was sailing about 300 nautical miles off the coast of Alaska when the Coast Guard responded to the scene, rescuing 22 crew members who had tried unsuccessfully to extinguish the blaze.
According to the vessel’s management company, Zodiac Maritime, the 600-foot ship had departed Yantai, China, on 26 May and was destined for the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, where it was expected to deliver a shipment of approximately 3 000 vehicles, including 800 EVs.
The US Coast Guard responded to the scene and evacuated the entire crew, with no injuries reported during the operation, according to a statement released by Alaska Maritime. Coast Guard vessels and aircraft were deployed to coordinate the rescue and monitor the situation.
The incident on the Morning Midas again highlights ongoing safety concerns surrounding the maritime transportation of EVs, particularly the risks associated with battery fires.
Similar disasters have plagued the sector in recent years: in 2022, the Felicity Ace – carrying nearly 4 000 vehicles for the Volkswagen Group – sank in the North Atlantic after a battery-fuelled blaze.
The Fremantle Highway caught fire in the North Sea in 2023, claiming the life of one crew member, and in 2019 the Grande America sank with a shipment of rare Porsche 911 GT2 RS models.
According to Allianz Commercial, these types of fire incidents reached record highs in 2024, fuelling debate around the safety protocols for shipping EVs.
The Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum recently released updated guidelines designed to help vessel crews better prepare for potential battery fires and minimise risks during transit.
