Examining the Rising Trend of Car Carrier Fires: Insights and Implications

According to a recent report from the maritime industry, the car carrier Morning Midas experienced a meaningful fire incident in the North Pacific Ocean on June 3, 2025. This UK-owned vessel, registered under liberia’s flag, was about 300 miles south of Adak when smoke was detected emanating from a deck housing electric vehicles. the ship had set sail from Yantai, China on May 26 and was en route to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico with over 3,000 vehicles onboard—65 of which where fully electric and another 681 partially hybrid. despite activating fire suppression systems promptly, the crew had no choice but to abandon ship using life rafts and were later rescued by a nearby vessel.

This event is part of an alarming trend in maritime transport involving vehicle carriers that frequently enough carry lithium-ion battery-equipped cars. Each incident sheds light on safety protocols that need urgent attention. Here are some notable past occurrences:

Fremantle Highway
On July 25, 2023, near Ameland in the Netherlands, the Fremantle Highway caught fire while transporting nearly 3,800 vehicles. the crew struggled to control the blaze; tragically one crew member lost their life during evacuation efforts while others were rescued via helicopter or by jumping into water. although environmental damage was minimal due to effective containment measures near protected areas like Wadden Sea UNESCO site, investigations revealed serious flaws in emergency response protocols.

Grande Costa D’Avorio
In another unfortunate incident on July 5, 2023 at Port Newark in New Jersey involving Grande Costa D’Avorio—a ConRo ship—two firefighters lost their lives during firefighting efforts as flames raged for six days before being extinguished. Investigations indicated that improper loading practices led to overheating issues with modified passenger vehicles used for cargo operations.

Felicity Ace
The Felicity ace caught fire off the Azores Islands on Febuary 16, 2022 while carrying around four thousand luxury cars including brands like Porsche and Lamborghini. all crew members evacuated safely; tho after burning for weeks it ultimately sank into deep waters.

These incidents highlight ongoing challenges faced by shipping companies regarding vehicle transport safety standards—especially concerning older or modified vehicles which may pose higher risks due to electrical faults or battery issues.

As we look at these events collectively—from Höegh Xiamen’s electrical fault leading to it’s loss in Jacksonville back in June of last year to earlier fires aboard vessels like Grande Europa—the need for stricter regulations becomes increasingly clear. Grimaldi Group has already called for enhanced controls over car batteries following multiple incidents since they can ignite easily if not properly secured.

With electric vehicle adoption rising globally alongside concerns about their safe transportation via sea routes—it will be crucial for regulatory bodies worldwide to adapt existing frameworks accordingly as new challenges arise within this evolving landscape of maritime logistics.

In summary: While each case presents unique circumstances surrounding fires aboard car carriers—the overarching theme remains consistent: there’s an urgent need for improved oversight and safety measures across this sector as we navigate through these complex waters ahead!