Cargo ship carrying thousands of brand-new cars to Mexico sinks in North Pacific

A cargo vessel transporting nearly 3,000 new vehicles to Mexico sank in the North Pacific Ocean weeks after a fire rendered the ship inoperable, the ship's management company confirmed.

The Morning Midas, managed by London-based Zodiac Maritime, went down on Monday in international waters off Alaska’s remote Aleutian Islands, the company said in a statement. The vessel sank in an area approximately 770 kilometres (about 415 miles) from land, with water depths reaching around 5,000 meters (16,404 feet), Caliber.Az reports, citing American media. 

The vessel had been dead in the water since a fire broke out onboard in late May. All 22 crew members were safely evacuated to a lifeboat at the time and rescued by a nearby merchant ship. No injuries were reported.

Zodiac Maritime said a salvage crew arrived on-site several days after the initial blaze, but fire damage, combined with worsening weather conditions and water seepage, ultimately led to the ship’s sinking.

The cargo included roughly 3,000 new vehicles bound for a major Pacific port in Mexico. Among them were around 70 fully electric cars and approximately 680 hybrid vehicles. It remains unclear whether any of the cars were removed before the sinking.

At the time of the fire, the U.S. Coast Guard and Zodiac Maritime reported a large plume of smoke originating from the stern deck, where many of the electric vehicles were stored.

Two salvage tugs carrying pollution control equipment remain at the scene to monitor for environmental hazards or debris. Zodiac Maritime stated that the crews aboard those vessels were uninjured during the sinking and continue to assess the situation.

The company has not disclosed whether any pollution has been detected so far. Environmental authorities are expected to keep a close watch on the area, given the presence of electric vehicle batteries and hybrid systems among the cargo.

An investigation into the cause of the fire and the ship’s sinking is ongoing.

By Khagan Isayev