Browsed by
Tag: Car Carrier

Morning Midas

Morning Midas

Morning Midas
Photo: USCG

Around midnight on June 3, the 183 meter long, 12250 dwt car carrier Morning Midas (IMO: 9289910) caught fire in the North Pacific Ocean some 300 miles south of Adak, Alaska. The Morning Midas departed from Yantai, China with over 3100 vehicles with 65 electric and over 600 hybrid vehicles bound for Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. While en route the crew detected smoke from one of the vehicle decks. The crew attempted to contain the blaze by using the vessel’s onboard fire suppression system.  Unfortunately, the system was unable to stop the blaze which continued to spread to other decks on the vessel.

By the afternoon of June 3, the fire was out of control and the crew alerted the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard sent out a broadcast alerting vessels in the area to assist while multiple Coast Guard aircraft were deployed from bases in Adak and Kodiak. The 22 crew on board the Morning Midas safely evacuated into the vessel’s life raft and were rescued by the 355.5 meter long containership Cosco Hellas (IMO: 9308510) which had responded to the distress call.  There were no injuries reported.

Morning Midas
Photo: USCG

The Coast Guard has stated they are monitoring the car carrier as smoke could still be seen billowing out from its decks. The vessels owners have arranged for a tug with firefighting equipment be sent in the hope the fire can be extinguished and the Morning Midas can be taken under tow. News reports state the fire may have started by possibly one of the lithium-ion batteries used by electric cars. If a lithium-ion battery fire is not detected early, there is a high risk of a runaway thermal reaction.

The Coast Guard is also monitoring the situation for possible oil pollution if the Morning Midas sinks before the fire is extinguished. Reports state there is 350 tons of diesel and 1530 tons of fuel oil on board the car carrier.

 

 

Delphine

Delphine

Delphine
Photo: vrt.be

On the afternoon of April 16, the 234 meter long, 27687 dwt ro-ro car carrier Delphine (IMO: 9789245) caught fire while berthed at Zeebrugge, Belgium.  The fire started on the vehicle deck where a cargo of electric vehicles were being stored. Reports state the deck filled with dense black smoke. Everyone on board the Delphine was safely evacuated to shore. No injuries reported.

Reports state the local fire brigade arrived aided by 3 fire tugs to contain the blaze. Authorities stated the vessel’s carbon dioxide fire suppression was able to contain the fire after the deck was sealed off. Fire fighters are monitoring the vessel in case the fire would flare up again.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. News reports suggest it may have started by one of the batteries on an electric vehicle. The amount of damage cause by the fire had not yet disclosed.

 

Splendid Ace

Splendid Ace

Splendid Ace
Photo: stvincenttimes.com

On the morning of November 10, the 198 meter long, 19893 dwt vehicle carrier Splendid Ace (IMO: 9252228) became damaged in the Caribbean Sea while entering the port of Kingstown, St. Vincent. The Splendid Ace was attempting to berth at the cruise ship dock when it struck an unknown underwater object. The object punctured the vessel’s starboard forward hull at the waterline. The Splendid Ace was able to unload enough cargo resulting in the hole being sufficiently above the waterline to prevent any water ingress.

Reports state the vessel was surveyed for damage and the vessel remained at the berth for several days. This prevented cruise ships to dock at St. Vincent during this time. The Splendid Ace was able to finally leave port on November 12.  No reports of injuries or pollution released.