A cargo ship transporting nearly 3,000 new vehicles to Mexico sank in the North Pacific Ocean on Monday, weeks after a fire broke out onboard, forcing the crew to abandon ship.
The Morning Midas went down in deep international waters approximately 415 miles from Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, according to its management company, Zodiac Maritime. The vessel had been disabled since early June after an intense fire erupted, leaving it adrift before ultimately succumbing to structural damage, harsh weather, and flooding.
No Immediate Pollution Threat, But Concerns Remain
The U.S. Coast Guard reported no visible oil spills so far, though the ship was carrying 350 metric tons of marine gas oil and 1,530 metric tons of very low-sulfur fuel oil. Two salvage tugs equipped with pollution control equipment remain on-site to monitor for any potential environmental hazards. Zodiac Maritime has also dispatched an additional specialized pollution response vessel as a precaution.
Fire Broke Out Earlier This Month, Crew Safely Evacuated
The Coast Guard first received a distress call on June 3 after flames erupted aboard the Morning Midas, roughly 300 miles southwest of Adak Island. The 22 crew members abandoned ship in a lifeboat and were rescued by a nearby merchant vessel. No injuries were reported.
Initial reports indicated the fire originated near the stern, where 70 fully electric and 680 hybrid vehicles were stored. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Growing Concerns Over Ship Fires Involving EVs
This incident follows a 2023 fire on a freighter carrying nearly 500 electric vehicles in the North Sea, which burned uncontrollably for a week, killing one person. A Dutch safety board has since called for improved emergency protocols on shipping routes, particularly for vessels transporting EVs.
The 600-foot Morning Midas, built in 2006 and sailing under a Liberian flag, had departed Yantai, China, on May 26, en route to Mexico before the fire broke out. It remains unclear whether any vehicles were salvaged before the ship sank in waters 16,400 feet deep.
The Coast Guard and Zodiac Maritime continue to assess the situation, with salvage teams monitoring for any environmental impact.
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