Cargo ship with 3,000 cars sinks near Alaska weeks after experiencing a fire on board.

A cargo ship carrying approximately 3,000 new vehicles has sunk in the North Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Alaska, following a fire that resulted in the abandonment of its crew weeks earlier. The vessel, known as the Morning Midas, sank on Monday evening in international waters near the Aleutian Islands, as confirmed by the London-based shipping company, Zodiac Maritime.

The U.S. Coast Guard received an emergency distress signal concerning the fire aboard the Morning Midas on June 3. The ship’s 22-member crew successfully abandoned the vessel using lifeboats and were subsequently rescued by a nearby container ship, with no reported injuries among the crew members.

Visual evidence indicates that a significant plume of smoke was emanating from the stern of the ship, where approximately 700 electric and hybrid vehicles were stored. These vehicles, equipped with lithium-ion batteries, pose a heightened risk of ignition if damaged. Following the fire, the cargo ship, which had departed from China in late May and was en route to a Pacific port in Mexico, was deemed unsalvageable by its crew, leading to its abandonment.

According to Zodiac Maritime, a combination of the wildfire, adverse weather conditions, and water ingress contributed to the sinking of the Morning Midas in an area where the ocean floor exceeds 16,000 feet in depth, situated more than 400 miles from the nearest land. This position is approximately 100 miles distant from the original site of the fire.

The company has not disclosed whether any of the vehicles were successfully removed prior to the vessel’s sinking, although a salvage crew arrived at the location shortly after the fire incident. In an effort to prevent environmental damage, two salvage tugboats equipped with pollution control apparatus are stationed in the vicinity to survey for any potential oil spills or debris. The Coast Guard continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure that any resultant environmental hazards are promptly addressed.

This incident highlights the ongoing risks associated with maritime shipping, particularly when transporting vehicles that utilize advanced battery technology. As investigations proceed, questions regarding maritime safety and environmental protection remain paramount in the wake of the Morning Midas tragedy.

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