Salvage team arrives at Zodiac Maritime vehicle carrier as fire continues to rage

THE owner of Morning Midas (IMO: 9289910) has confirmed the arrival of a salvage vessel at the scene of the stricken vehicle carrier, following the outbreak of a fire on a car deck in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, June 3.

“The first of three vessels dispatched by the salvors Resolve Marine to the location of the Morning Midas arrived Monday afternoon local time zone carrying a team of salvage experts and specialist equipment, to assess the vessel,” a statement from the vessels owner, UK-headquartered Zodiac Maritime, confirmed.

Zodiac Maritime added that the salvage team reported no signs of pollution to the water and that the vessel’s watertight integrity remained intact.

The initial vessel to arrive is understood to be US-flagged tug Gretchen Dunlap (IMO: 9804021), which was dispatched from Unalaska Island, according to its AIS transmission.

Fire on board the vessel continues to burn. Smoke was first detected on a car deck, in the upper stern section of the ship, last week.

A US Coast Guard image confirms that fire has spread throughout the upper decks of the 46,800 gt vessel.

“Comprehensive salvage and safety plans have been developed and two additional tugs with firefighting and long-distance towing capabilities are also underway, with the first planned to arrive in approximately six days and the second in around 12 days,” Zodiac Maritime said.

While there remain no signs of pollution, an environmental pollution control plan is being put in place by the vessel’s salvors, in consultation with the USCG. Zodiac Maritime confirmed that spill response assets were on standby.

“We would like to thank the USCG for their close cooperation and support as we, and Resolve Marine, continue to work closely with them.”

After attempts by the vessels’ crew to extinguish the fire had to be abandoned, all 22 personnel aboard the Morning Midas were safely evacuated via the vessel’s freefall lifeboat. They were later picked up by the nearby Costamare-controlled containership Cosco Hellas (IMO: 9308510).

A Zodiac Maritime spokesperson confirmed to Lloyd’s List that Morning Midas’ multinational crew remain on board the 9,000 teu boxship and were all in good health.

Cosco Hellas appears to be continuing its scheduled voyage to the port of Balboa, Panama under time charter to China’s Cosco.

The USCG said that it is continuing its response to a fire on board the Morning Midas which is drifting some 220 miles south of Adak, Alaska.

It said that a USCG Super Hercules aircrew had conducted an overflight of the vessel and confirmed no signs of any pollution.

The USCG added that it was tracking the vessel’s position and condition via regular overflights, information from on-scene responders, and drift analysis conducted in conjunction with information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Response and Restoration.

As of yesterday evening, the Morning Midas was reported to be drifting northeast at approximately 1.5 knots.

The 2006-built vessel is understood to be on time-charter to SAIC Anji Logistics, a subsidiary of China’s fourth-largest car manufacturer, SAIC Motor. It was operating a liner service from China to Mexico and the US port of Portland when fire broke out.

It is loaded with 3,048 vehicles, including 70 electric cars and 681 hybrid-electric cars, presumed to be equipped with lithium-ion batteries. The cause of the fire remains unknown.