Overview

• The fire aboard the Morning Midas broke out on June 3 around midnight UTC, and smoke continues to billow from its cargo hold more than four days later.
• All 22 crew members abandoned ship and were rescued by the merchant vessel Cosco Hellas without injuries.
• The Morning Midas is carrying 3,048 vehicles, including 70 fully electric cars and 681 hybrids whose lithium-ion batteries may be fueling the persistent blaze.
• The U.S. Coast Guard’s Seventeenth District, led by Rear Admiral Megan Dean, is transitioning from search and rescue to assessing the vessel’s disposition in coordination with Zodiac Maritime.
• Industry efforts to improve EV battery safety are underway, with companies such as Alkegen testing aerogel insulation to prevent thermal runaway during maritime transport.