by Fire on a car carrier ship in the Pacific Ocean
The car carrier Morning Midas, transporting around 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric cars, caught fire while sailing from Asia to North America. The 22-member crew was forced to abandon the ship after failing to contain the blaze. All sailors were rescued by a nearby merchant vessel.
According to the ship’s owner, Zodiac Maritime:
“The crew immediately activated emergency fire suppression systems, but the situation spiraled out of control”
. The fire originated in the compartment where electric vehicles were stored. The fate of the cars onboard remains unknown.
Previous similar incidents
This is not the first fire incident involving a ship carrying electric vehicles. Three years ago, a similar situation occurred with the Felicity Ace, which was transporting 4,000 cars, including Porsche, Bentley, and Lamborghini models. That vessel burned for two weeks before sinking near the Azores.
Some shipping companies, such as Norway’s Havila Kystruten, have already stopped transporting electric vehicles due to high risks. However, given the growing popularity of electric cars, finding safe transportation methods remains a pressing issue.
The Morning Midas incident once again highlights the complexity of electric vehicle logistics, particularly during maritime transport. While crews in both cases were rescued, financial losses for automakers and insurance companies could be substantial. Shipboard fire suppression technology appears to require updates to account for the unique characteristics of electric vehicles.
