Fire Engulfs Car Carrier Morning Midas Off Alaska

June 6, 2025 – Source: gCaptain

 

🔥 An aerial survey by the U.S. Coast Guard has revealed the full scale of a fire tearing through the Morning Midas, a 600-foot vehicle carrier adrift in the North Pacific, approximately 340 miles south of Adak, Alaska.

 

Flames have engulfed multiple decks, with smoke rising from the stern and a noticeable list developing toward the aft section. A sheen on the water’s surface raises concerns about potential environmental impact, possibly linked to the vessel’s fuel or cargo.

 

The Morning Midas, en route from Yantai, China to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico, caught fire on June 3. The blaze is believed to have originated on a deck loaded with electric vehicles. Despite the crew’s prompt activation of the ship’s fire suppression systems, the intensity of the flames ultimately forced all 22 seafarers to abandon ship. They were safely rescued by the merchant vessel Cosco Hellas. No injuries were reported.

 

The ship was carrying over 3,100 vehicles at the time of the incident – including 65 fully electric and 681 hybrid models – as well as more than 1,800 metric tons of fuel, comprising gas fuel and very low sulfur fuel oil.

 

The Morning Midas, sailing under the Liberian flag, was built in 2006 and departed China on May 26. It had been scheduled to arrive in Mexico on June 15.

 

Photo: U.S. Coast Guard, June 3, 2025