A big fire burst out in a cargo vessel off the coast of Alaska, drawing global attention. The ship was transporting EV shipments, and the fire brought into serious question the safety of sea transport of these vehicles.
As much as electric cars have become prevalent around the world, incidents of this kind pinpoint the problems of handling their strong lithium-ion batteries and their sea transportation by ships. But what actually caused this fire, and what are the lessons to be learned in order to avoid such tragedies in the future?
Understanding the Incident
The tragedy took place in Alaska’s Aleutian Island chain, where a cargo ship named Morning Midas, a truck and car carrier stretching 600 feet (183 meters) long, caught fire while crossing the North Pacific. The vessel had set sail from Yantai, China, on May 26, loaded with automobiles around 3,000 vehicles, including nearly 800 electric vehicles and was en route to Lazaro Cardenas, a busy Pacific port in Mexico.
Having worked briefly in marine logistics, I can say that moving large quantities of EVs across vast oceans always carries inherent risks; the combination of small quarters, volatile batteries, and heavy machinery leaves little room for error. The fire, which erupted 300 miles (490 kilometers) southwest of Adak Island, was a harsh reminder of how quickly an emergency at sea can take place beyond control.
When the flames grew unstoppable, the crew made the heartbreaking decision to abandon ship. Nearby, the merchant vessel Cosco Hellas rushed in to assist, ultimately rescuing all 22 crew members from a lifeboat in the cold waters. I’ve spoken with seafarers who describe such moments where training meets instinct, and survival becomes the only mission.
Watching the Morning Midas burn from a distance must have been devastating for those who had called it home just hours earlier, a sobering example of how even the most advanced shipping operations can be brought to their knees by the unknown power of the ocean.
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What Was on Board?
According to initial reports, the cargo ship was carrying a large batch of electric vehicles from a major manufacturer company. These vehicles were being shipped to North America for distribution. Electric cars use lithium-ion batteries, which, while efficient for energy storage, can pose a serious fire risk if damaged, overheated, or improperly handled.
The cargo hold was packed with EVs, and experts believe the fire may have started in one of these battery systems. When the battery is overheated it starts a chain reaction and also starts to warm the other parts of the cars.As the cars were not handled carefully therefore it seems that the fire broke due to the malfunctioning of the batteries.
Possible Causes of the Fire
Battery Malfunction and Thermal Runaway
One of the main causes of the malfunctioning of the thermal batteries is their overheating. This occurs when a battery cell becomes too hot, often due to physical damage or some internal failure. Once the temperature reaches a certain point that is the limited temperature, it triggers a chain reaction, causing the surrounding cells to overheat and ignite. In confined spaces like a ship’s cargo hold, such fires can be extremely hard to control.
Lithium-ion battery fires burn at very high temperatures and can reignite even after being extinguished. This makes them particularly dangerous on ships, where access to specialized firefighting tools and sufficient ventilation is limited. The fire in the lithium ion batteries is even not controlled by the water.
Ship Safety and Handling Procedures
Transporting electric vehicles across long sea routes requires strict safety measures. Each EV must be properly secured, and its battery must be disconnected before shipment. Experts are now questioning whether all safety protocols were followed on this voyage or not.
If batteries were damaged during loading or not properly disconnected, it could increase the risk of ignition. Additionally, limited crew training or inadequate fire detection systems might have worsened the situation once the fire started.
Response and Rescue Efforts
According to US Coast Guard reports and photos, a statement from the ship’s management company, Zodiac Maritime, revealed that a large plume of smoke was first seen rising from the ship’s stern, specifically on the deck loaded with electric vehicles.
Having previously covered maritime safety operations, I can imagine how quickly such a scene would escalate where the crew, despite initiating emergency firefighting procedures and deploying the onboard fire suppression system, struggles to bring the flames under control emitting heavy smoke and chaos. The incident underscores how vulnerable even the most advanced vessels remain when facing a fire fueled by high-energy EV components, a situation that can challenge both human skill and technology in the harsh conditions of the open sea.
Investigation and Findings
The cargo ship Morning Midas saw heavy smoke emitting from its lower decks as the fire erupted, thus prompting immediate responses from the Coast Guards. From experience in following maritime incidents, one could tell this was no ordinary emergency; the search and rescue operations were swift yet failed amidst harsh Alaskan conditions.
Managed by Zodiac Maritime, the crew on the vessel was evacuated quickly as investigators worked hard to recover critical evidence for determining the cause of the blaze from aboard the vessel.
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Future Safety Measures
This incident has sparked new conversations about the safe transport of electric vehicles by sea. Industry experts suggest the need for:
- Improved fire detection systems on cargo ships
- Separate containment zones for electric vehicles
- Battery monitoring sensors during transit
- Specialized training for ship crews to handle EV fires
Governments and shipping companies are expected to collaborate on stricter international guidelines for carrying electric vehicles and other battery-powered cargo across oceans.
Alaska Marine Lines Will No Longer Ship Electric Vehicles Due to Fire Risk
When Alaska Marine Lines (AML), a well-known barge company, announced a major policy change, many in Alaska and Hawaii were caught by surprise. The company declared that it would stop shipping electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles because of the growing fire risk tied to lithium ion batteries.
Having worked briefly with marine logistics myself, I know how seriously safety officers treat these concerns especially after seeing how one small spark can escalate a ship out in the open ocean. The decision has caused reduced access for communities in Southeast Alaska, where EVs had become a symbol of sustainable progress.
The Alaska Marine Highway System stepped in as an alternative, allowing only two electric vehicles per sailing, a limit designed to minimize hazards. According to Sam Dapcevich from the Alaska Department of Transportation, EV fires are notoriously hard to control once they begin.
Each vessel now carries specialized blankets that can be thrown over a burning vehicle to smother the flames, and the cars are parked in a designated location to make it easier to fight the fire if one breaks out. I’ve personally seen similar protocols on a cargo ship, where even drills for potential blaze scenarios feel intense and urgent.
The seriousness of these precautions became clear after a cargo ship sailing southwest of Adak caught fire in the open ocean, carrying around 3,000 vehicles, including 700 hybrid vehicles and about 70 fully-electric vehicles. All crew members were eventually rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, but the lithium ion batteries made it nearly impossible to put out the flames.
The ship burned for days before capsizing and eventually sinking, releasing toxic fumes into an enclosed space and through the ventilation system a reminder of just how dangerous such a situation can become inside a boat filled with vehicles.
Those hoping to still move their EVs can make a ferry reservation, though Ryan Dixon, an Alaska Marine Lines spokesperson, has explained that the barge company will continue to monitor industry safety standards and may revisit the policy later. For now, only hybrid vehicles that do not plug in are permitted on cargo ships, along with smaller electric recreational vehicles like e-bikes and 4-wheelers.
This change affects Central Alaska, Western Alaska, and Hawaii immediately, while Southeast Alaska will see enforcement begin on September 1. Having witnessed the tension between innovation and maritime safety firsthand, I can understand why AML is prioritizing caution over convenience in this complex new era of shipping electric vehicles.
Conclusion
The recent cargo ship fire in Alaska involving electric vehicles has been a stark wake-up call about the hidden dangers of moving high-energy batteries across the seas. Electric cars are shaping our path toward a cleaner, more sustainable future, yet their transport demands far greater caution and precision than most realize.
As investigators dig deeper into the cause, one message stands out clearly: our safety standards must evolve alongside the fast-growing world of electric mobility. This tragic event off Alaska’s coast may well inspire tighter regulations and smarter shipping practices, ensuring that future cargo journeys are both environmentally conscious and truly safe.
FAQs
What caused the fire on the cargo ship?
The exact cause hasn’t been definitively confirmed. However, investigators are strongly considering lithium-ion battery failure from the electric vehicles on board as a main cause of the fire in the cargo ship.
What cargo ship has EV cars on fire?
The ship is Morning Midas, a car carrier managed by Zodiac Maritime that was carrying the electric vehicles and caught fire.
How many electric cars have caught fire?
Reports vary, but the Morning Midas was carrying approximately 800 EVs. Another source notes the ship had around 70 fully electric vehicles and 681 hybrids.
What caused the fire on the Felicity Ace cargo ship?
On the Felicity Ace (a different incident in 2022), it’s believed that lithium-ion batteries in some EVs on board may have ignited and contributed to the fire, though the exact cause was never conclusively determined.
Who was responsible for the Ghost Ship fire?
If by “Ghost Ship” you mean the Felicity Ace fire, no one was criminally blamed but some insurance claims and lawsuits allege that battery failures in EVs contributed, and that the manufacturer may not have fully warned about these risks.
How many cars were on the ship that caught fire?
The Morning Midas was carrying about 3,000 vehicles in total.
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