An deserted ship rotund of EVs is burning in the Pacific 

In a recent maritime incident, a cargo vessel carrying approximately 3,000 vehicles was abandoned in the Pacific Ocean following a severe onboard fire that erupted on Tuesday. As of Friday, the vessel remains ablaze, with the fire still active. Experts suggest that the intense flames may have been exacerbated by lithium-ion batteries present in many of the transported vehicles, which are known for their challenging fire suppression characteristics.

The vessel, identified as the Morning Midas, was en route from Yantai, China, to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. Among the cargo were roughly 750 electric and hybrid vehicles, which rely heavily on large lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are prone to short-circuiting and can ignite under certain conditions, leading to dangerously hot fires. The crew reported smoke emanating from the deck late Tuesday night, although the precise cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A representative from Zodiac Maritime, the UK-based company managing the vessel, informed The Register that the 22 crew members onboard responded promptly to the fire, attempting to extinguish it with onboard firefighting equipment. However, the fire quickly grew beyond control, prompting the crew to issue a distress signal and evacuate the ship using lifeboats. A nearby support vessel responded swiftly, rescuing all crew members, according to a statement from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Currently, the Morning Midas is still afloat but remains engulfed in flames approximately 304 miles south of Adak, Alaska. The specific details about the types or models of vehicles onboard are not yet disclosed, nor is it clear whether any of the vehicles can be salvaged or recovered.

In response to the incident, Zodiac Maritime announced that safety concerns necessitated abandoning the vessel. The company has engaged Marine salvage specialists to address the ongoing fire. A team of experts is expected to arrive at the scene by June 9, and the company continues to monitor the vessel’s condition remotely via satellite technology.

Rear Admiral Megan Dean of the U.S. Coast Guard’s 17th District expressed gratitude for the swift rescue efforts, stating, “As the search and rescue operations conclude, we are working closely with Zodiac Maritime to determine the future of the vessel. We appreciate the dedicated efforts of the nearby ships, including the crew of the Cosco Hellas, who played a vital role in saving 22 lives.”

Related Reading: [Electrical vehicle fires are uncommon but notoriously difficult to extinguish]

Why Are Electric Vehicle Battery Fires So Challenging to Suppress?

Many have seen images of firefighters struggling to contain fires in Tesla and other electric vehicles. While EV fires are statistically less frequent than those involving traditional internal combustion engine cars, when they do occur, they tend to be far more difficult to extinguish. This difficulty stems from a phenomenon called thermal runaway, which occurs within lithium-ion batteries. When a short circuit happens, it can trigger a chain reaction that rapidly escalates into a fierce fire.

Thermal runaway can take days or even weeks to develop fully, but once ignited, these fires burn at temperatures significantly higher than typical gasoline fires. Moreover, they have a tendency to reignite even after initial suppression efforts, posing a persistent threat to firefighters and rescue teams.

Freight ships are particularly susceptible to catastrophic fires, given their dense cargo and limited airflow. A single vehicle fire can quickly spread to neighboring cars, creating a dangerous chain reaction. Although ships are equipped with firefighting systems, these measures often prove inadequate once a blaze involves multiple vehicles.

In recent years, maritime incidents involving vehicle cargo fires have become more frequent. For instance, in 2022, a vessel carrying 4,000 automobiles caught fire in the Atlantic and subsequently sank. Just a year later, another ship with around 3,000 vehicles was engulfed in flames off the coast of the Netherlands, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries.

Progress in Making EV Batteries Safer

Automakers and battery manufacturers are actively working to enhance the safety and durability of lithium-ion cells. Recently, Texas-based Alkegen announced the commercial rollout of a new aerogel-based insulation material designed to prevent thermal runaway in EV batteries. Additionally, advancements in battery management systems now enable real-time monitoring of battery health, while improved charging protocols help prevent overcharging-a common trigger for thermal events.

Despite these technological improvements, the rapid growth of electric vehicle adoption worldwide means that incidents involving battery fires are unlikely to diminish significantly in the near future. The increasing volume of EVs on roads and ships alike underscores the importance of ongoing safety innovations and emergency response preparedness.