A cargo ship carrying over 3,000 vehicles—including hundreds of electric and hybrid models—caught fire in the Pacific Ocean on June 3, 2025, forcing all 22 crew members to abandon the vessel. The fire remains active as of Wednesday, with salvage efforts underway.

The 600-foot-long Morning Midas, flagged in the United Kingdom and managed by London-based Zodiac Maritime, was en route to the port of Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, with an expected arrival on June 15. It departed from China in late May, stopping in Yantai, Guangzhou, and Shanghai.

The vessel was approximately 300 miles south of Adak Island, Alaska, when crew members detected smoke emerging from a deck storing electric vehicles on June 3. Despite activating the ship’s CO₂ fire suppression system, the fire reignited after the system was exhausted. Unable to contain the blaze, the crew issued a distress signal and evacuated the vessel via life rafts. All 22 personnel were rescued unharmed by the nearby cargo ship Cosco Hellas, which the U.S. Coast Guard recognised as a “Good Samaritan vessel” for its prompt assistance.

According to Zodiac Maritime, the ship transported 3,048 vehicles, including 70 fully electric cars and 681 hybrids. The boat also carried approximately 350 metric tons of liquefied gas and 1,530 tons of very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).

The incident highlights the growing challenge of managing fires involving lithium-ion batteries at sea. Experts have long warned that EV battery fires are difficult to extinguish due to thermal runaway, which can cause batteries to reignite or spread flames to nearby units. Sean DeCrane, director of the International Association of Fire Fighters, noted that the Morning Midas fire “appears consistent with known electric vehicle ignition behaviour, especially in cases where CO₂ systems are involved but cannot prevent re-ignition.”

Fire safety specialist Dr Brian Mayer added that extinguishing a single EV fire typically requires up to 10,000 gallons of water—an impractical amount on a ship. Moreover, using seawater is problematic due to its corrosive nature, which could pose additional risks to onboard systems.

The U.S. Coast Guard deployed three rescue vessels and dispatched aerial support, including a C-130J aircraft and an MH-60T helicopter, to coordinate the evacuation and monitor the fire. A salvage tug has been sent to the scene as authorities work to contain the blaze and prevent environmental damage.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the brands or models of vehicles involved in the incident. The Morning Midas, built in 2006 and capable of transporting up to 6,000 cars, is owned by Hawthorn Navigation Inc. and operated by Zodiac Maritime.

The fire echoes a similar 2022 disaster involving the Felicity Ace, which sank after burning for nearly two weeks in the Atlantic Ocean. That vessel transported almost 4,000 luxury vehicles, including Porsche, Bentley, and Audi models.

Insurers are increasingly concerned about fires aboard vehicle carriers. Allianz Commercial reported that maritime fire incidents reached a 10-year high in 2024. The 2025 Shipping and Safety Review stated that the scale of modern ships, combined with the complexity of firefighting and salvage operations, keeps insurance risks elevated.

Zodiac Maritime reiterated its priority is “the continued safety of the crew and the protection of the marine environment.” As the situation unfolds, maritime authorities work closely with the ship’s operators to determine the next steps.

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