The incident has reignited fears over the transport of lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in EVs, due to their flammability.
A cargo ship transporting 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric cars, sank in the Pacific Ocean on Monday after being adrift since June 3, following a fire outbreak on board.
The 600-foot-long Morning Midas, owned by London-based Zodiac Maritime, went down in international waters approximately three miles deep. “It had been weakened by fire damage and intense weather,” the company said.
“As a precaution, two salvage tugs containing pollution control equipment remain on site… A specialized pollution response vessel is also en route,” Zodiac Maritime told The Post. No injuries were reported.
The incident has reignited fears over the transport of lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in EVs, due to their flammability. Most of the cars on board were Chinese-made, destined for Mexico.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Resolve Marine are assisting in the response. They have yet to comment on the situation.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.