A cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles, including 800 EVs, caught fire off Alaska. All 22 crew were rescued safely in a major maritime operation.
Evacuation Off Alaska After Fire Engulfs Cargo Vessel
Twenty-two crew members aboard the Morning Midas, a car carrier en route from China to Mexico, were rescued Tuesday after a fire broke out onboard, forcing an emergency evacuation into the waters off Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.
Fire Erupts Among Electric Vehicles at Sea
The blaze reportedly started on the ship’s stern deck, which was loaded with 800 electric vehicles, part of a 3,000-vehicle shipment. The vessel, managed by London-based Zodiac Maritime, had departed Yantai, China, on May 26 and was bound for Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, when smoke was detected roughly 490 km southwest of Adak Island.
Lifeboat Evacuation and Timely Rescue
After failed attempts to control the fire using onboard suppression systems, the 183-metre Liberian-flagged ship was evacuated. The crew launched a lifeboat and were safely rescued by the nearby merchant ship Cosco Hellas, according to a U.S. Coast Guard report. No injuries were reported.
Salvage and Environmental Response Underway
Zodiac Maritime stated it is cooperating with U.S. emergency responders and has dispatched a tugboat to support firefighting and salvage operations. The U.S. Coast Guard has also deployed aircrews and a vessel to monitor the scene, though the fire remained active as of Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities Highlight Need for Maritime Safety
Rear Admiral Megan Dean commended the swift response by nearby vessels and confirmed that the focus is now on recovering the ship and protecting the marine environment. The incident has reignited discussions about safety on the high seas, especially concerning fires involving electric vehicles.
Growing Global Concern Over Maritime Fires
This latest blaze follows a deadly 2023 cargo ship fire in the North Sea involving EVs, which prompted a Dutch safety board to urge stronger emergency protocols. As maritime cargo volumes rise—now exceeding 80% of global trade by volume—calls for modernizing shipping safety standards are intensifying.
Maple News Wire will continue to follow updates on the Morning Midas and the evolving investigation into fire risks aboard EV-carrying vessels.
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