Cargo Ship Morning Midas Sinks in North Pacific After Onboard Fire

Photo Credit: U.S. Coast Guard 

A cargo ship carrying approximately 3,000 new vehicles bound for Mexico has sunk in the North Pacific Ocean, weeks after the vessel was left disabled by a fire and abandoned by its crew. The Morning Midas sank on Monday in international waters off Alaska's Aleutian Islands, according to a statement from its management company, London-based Zodiac Maritime.

The fire broke out on board on June 3, roughly 300 miles southwest of Adak Island. All 22 crew members were safely evacuated into a lifeboat and were rescued by a nearby merchant ship. No injuries were reported.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the 600-foot vessel had been carrying 350 metric tons of marine gas oil and 1,530 metric tons of very low-sulfur fuel oil when it sank. Though officials remain vigilant, there are currently no signs of pollution in the surrounding waters.

"There is no visible pollution," said Petty Officer Cameron Snell, an Alaska-based U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson. "Right now we also have vessels on scene to respond to any pollution."

According to Zodiac Maritime, fire damage, worsened by rough seas and progressive water seepage, ultimately caused the ship to founder in waters approximately 16,400 feet deep—some 415 miles from the nearest landmass.

Among the vehicles on board were roughly 70 fully electric and 680 hybrid cars. Initial reports from the Coast Guard and Zodiac Maritime said a large plume of smoke was seen emanating from the ship’s stern, where the electric vehicles were stowed. It’s unclear whether any vehicles were recovered before the sinking.

A salvage team had reached the vessel days after the fire, but the scale of damage prevented recovery or towing. Two salvage tugs equipped with pollution response gear will remain at the site to monitor for signs of oil leakage or floating debris. Zodiac Maritime said it is also deploying a third vessel to enhance pollution response capability.

"The safety of the responders remains our top priority," said Capt. Christopher Culpepper, commander of Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska and U.S. Arctic. "We're working closely with Zodiac Maritime in an advisory capacity to ensure a swift and effective response to any potential signs of pollution."

The Morning Midas was sailing under a Liberian flag and had departed from Yantai, China, on May 26, en route to a major Pacific port in Mexico.

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The incident has drawn comparisons to a deadly 2023 fire aboard another car carrier transporting nearly 500 electric vehicles, which led to the death of one crew member and forced an overhaul of maritime fire safety protocols in Europe. In the wake of that event, a Dutch safety board urged reforms to how fires involving EVs are handled at sea.