North Pacific Disaster: Car Carrier Carrying 3,000 Vehicles Sinks Off Alaska After Weeks-Long Ordeal
North Pacific Disaster: Car Carrier Carrying 3,000 Vehicles Sinks Off Alaska After Weeks-Long Ordeal
The cargo ship Morning Midas, laden with approximately 3,000 new vehicles, including electric and hybrid models, sank on Monday in the North Pacific Ocean. This dramatic culmination follows weeks of struggle after an onboard fire left the vessel adrift in international waters off Alaska’s Aleutian Islands chain.
The ship’s management company, London-based Zodiac Maritime, confirmed the sinking, noting that fire damage compounded by severe weather and water seepage ultimately led to the carrier going down in waters approximately 16,400 feet deep and 415 miles from land. The vessel, which had departed Yantai, China, on May 26 en route to a major Pacific port in Mexico, had been battling the aftermath of a fire first reported on June 3.
The U.S. Coast Guard had received a distress alert on that date, approximately 300 miles southwest of Adak Island, confirming a fire aboard the Morning Midas. All 22 crew members were safely evacuated to a lifeboat and rescued by a nearby merchant marine vessel, with no injuries reported. Initial reports indicated a large smoke plume originating from the ship’s stern, specifically from the deck loaded with electric vehicles.
Environmental concerns are paramount following the sinking. The Coast Guard reported that the vessel carried 350 metric tons of marine gas oil and 1,530 metric tons of very low sulfur fuel oil. While no visible pollution has been observed yet, two salvage tugs equipped with pollution control equipment are remaining on scene to monitor for any signs of pollution or debris. Zodiac Maritime is also dispatching an additional specialized pollution response vessel as a precautionary measure. “The safety of the responders remains our top priority,” stated Capt. Christopher Culpepper of Coast Guard Sector Western Alaska, emphasizing ongoing collaboration with Zodiac Maritime to ensure an effective response to any potential environmental impact.
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