In recent years, the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs), has introduced complex challenges for fire safety in maritime environments.

The most recent incident involves the fire on the cargo ship Morning Midas, which occurred on 3 June 2025. It was carrying approximately 3,000 new vehicles, including around 70 fully electric and 681 hybrid vehicles, travelling from Yantai, China, to Mexico. The fire originated on the deck where the EVs were stored, rapidly disabling the vessel about 300 miles southwest of Adak Island. Despite evacuation and firefighting efforts, the fire continued, causing significant damage to the ship’s structure. On 23 June, amidst rough weather and water ingress, Morning Midas sank to a depth of about 16,400 ft (5,000 m), roughly 450 miles southwest of Adak. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, early indications suggest that thermal runaway from one or more lithium-ion batteries may have triggered the blaze.

The Morning Midas scenario aligns with similar incidents, such as the fires aboard the Felicity Ace, the Fremantle Highway, and the MS Pearl of Scandinavia, emphasising the urgent need to better understand and manage electric propulsion and other battery-related fires at sea.