Overview

• The Morning Midas caught fire on June 3 while en route from Yantai, China, and sank on June 23 after fire damage, heavy weather and water seepage compromised its hull.
• The Liberian-flagged vessel was carrying about 3,000 new vehicles bound for Mexico, including roughly 800 electric and 680 hybrid models, plus 1,880 metric tons of marine gas and very low sulfur fuel oil.
• Petty Officer Cameron Snell reports no visible pollution to date, with two salvage tugs and a specialized response ship deployed to detect and control any leaks.
• The incident has intensified scrutiny of maritime transport of lithium-ion batteries and prompted calls for strengthened emergency response protocols for EV-laden vessels.
• Zodiac Maritime is coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard and Resolve Marine to lead pollution prevention efforts as stakeholders assess implications for global automotive supply chains.