MORNING MIDAS © US Coast Guard

Car Carrier MORNING MIDAS Abandoned After Fire Erupts Off Alaska Coast

Ro-roA fire broke out aboard the MORNING MIDAS, a 183-metre Liberian-flagged car carrier, on 3 June, forcing the evacuation of all 22 crew members. The vessel, carrying 3,159 vehicles, including 65 fully electric vehicles (EVs) and 681 partial hybrid electric vehicles, was en route from Yantai, China, to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, when smoke was first detected on a deck housing EVs, according to the ship’s operator, Zodiac Maritime. The incident occurred roughly 260 nautical miles southwest of Adak Island, Alaska, about 1,040 nautical miles from Anchorage.

The crew attempted to combat the blaze using the ship’s onboard fire suppression systems but was unable to contain it, prompting them to abandon the vessel via lifeboat. All crew members were safely rescued by the nearby merchant vessel COSCO HELLAS, with assistance from three other ships in the area. The U.S. Coast Guard responded swiftly, deploying aircrews and a cutter to the scene, and reported no injuries. As of Wednesday afternoon, smoke was still emanating.

The vessel was carrying an estimated 350 metric tonnes of gas fuel and 1,530 metric tonnes of very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), prompting the Coast Guard and Zodiac to prioritise environmental protection alongside salvage efforts. A tug has been deployed to assist with firefighting and recovery operations.

The cause of the MORNING MIDAS fire is under investigation, with no definitive link yet established to the EVs or hybrid vehicles onboard, and reported figures are subject to change pending new information.

The fate of the MORNING MIDAS and its cargo remains uncertain as efforts continue to secure the vessel.

Jun 05 2025