Burned-out Zodiac-managed vehicle carrier sinks off Alaska

• 24/6/2025 – Fire-fighting vessels and salvage teams mobilised to an abandoned, fire-damaged vehicle carrier drifting off the US coast of Alaska in the Pacific Ocean have confirmed the vessel has sunk. 

A 2006-built vehicle carrier transporting hundreds of electric and hybrid-powered cars has sunk in deep waters hundreds of nautical miles off the US coast of Alaska in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The salvors, Resolve Marine, have reported that Zodiac Maritime-managed Morning Midas sank in international waters in the North Pacific, following the fire that broke out on board on 3 June 2025.

The salvors said the cause of the sinking was primarily a fire that burned for more than a week on board the 182-m, 46,800-gt vehicle carrier but environmental factors played a role, as well. “Damage caused by the fire, compounded by heavy weather and subsequent water ingress, caused Morning Midas to sink at around 16:35 local time zone (UTC -9) on 23 June, in waters approximately 5,000 m deep and 360 nautical miles from land,” a statement from Zodiac Maritime said.

Zodiac said the salvage team would leave two salvage tugs containing pollution control equipment on site to monitor for any signs of pollution or debris. “Their crews are safe. A specialised pollution response vessel is also en route to the location as an additional precaution. All operations continue to prioritise the safety of personnel and the protection of the marine environment,” the statement said.

Source: https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/burning-zodiac-managed-vehicle-carrier-sinks-off-alaska-85266

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