Oh Good, Another Ship Transporting Electric Cars Has Caught On Fire
Thousands of new cars, including hundreds of electric cars, are presumed lost after a fire broke out aboard the Morning Midas, a car carrier en route from China to Mexico.
Key Points
- The Morning Midas, carrying 3,000 vehicles including 800 EVs, was abandoned after a fire broke out mid-voyage from China to Mexico.
- Zodiac Maritime confirmed the fire began in the deck housing electric vehicles; the 22 crew members evacuated safely after onboard suppression systems failed to contain the blaze.
- This incident follows other high-profile EV-related shipping fires, highlighting growing safety concerns and prompting some operators to reconsider transporting electric vehicles by sea.
According to Bloomberg, the ship was eight days into a 19-day journey across the Pacific Ocean when smoke was detected. UK-based shipowner Zodiac Maritime confirmed the fire originated in a section of the ship carrying approximately 800 electric vehicles, part of its 3,000-car manifest.
Despite deploying onboard suppression systems, the 22-person crew could not contain the blaze and were forced to abandon the vessel in the middle of the ocean after unsuccessful attempts to extinguish the flames. They contacted the U.S. Coast Guard before evacuating via lifeboat and were later rescued by a nearby merchant ship.
The vessel still remains adrift, but there's little hope of any of the vehicles surviving. The vessel was located 300 miles southwest of the Alaskan island, Adak.
Back in 2022, the Felicity Ace, a cargo ship carrying 4,000 VW Group vehicles—including many Porsches, Bentleys, and Lamborghinis—caught fire in the Atlantic and later sank. That fire was blamed on one of the Porsche EV batteries. Japanese shipping group O.S.K. Lines even sued the automaker for $32.6 million in damages after the container ship was lost.
Some shipping operators, like Norway’s Havila Kystruten, have already banned EVs from their vessels due to perceived fire risks. However, maritime transport remains the only viable method of large-scale international delivery—I guess the other option is, you know, building them locally.
Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
More by Michael Accardi
Comments
Join the conversation
wow. what a sad waste to the environment.
Not only all the electric battery waste but also 58% of the ships fuel too.
All in the effort to save the environment with electric cars.
Some kind of agreement to require batteries be shipped separately or sourced at the country of use might be helpful. Integrating locally-manufactured batteries at a local assembly facility could improve the situation