THE Costamare-owned containership Cosco Hellas (IMO: 9308510) has rescued all crew members from the stricken vehicle carrier Morning Midas (IMO: 9289910), after fire broke out on a vehicle deck at around midnight UCT on June 3.

Owned by London-headquartered Zodiac Maritime, the 5,000 ceu Morning Midas was on passage from Yantai, China to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, when smoke was initially seen emanating from a deck containing electric vehicles. 

Zodiac Maritime has confirmed that it has appointed a salvage company to respond to the fire aboard the ship.          

The 2006-built vehicle carrier is drifting some 300 miles south of the island of Adak, Alaska.

The cause and current status of the fire remain unknown, but smoke continues to emanate from the ship.

The vessel’s cargo of 3,048 vehicles includes 70 electric cars and 681 hybrid-electric cars.

Morning Midas is understood to be on time charter to China’s SAIC Anji Logistics, a subsidiary of China’s fourth-largest car manufacturer, SAIC Automotive.

According to the US Coast Guard, the 17th Coast Guard District command centre received a distress alert reporting fire on board Morning Midas on June 3. 

“Watchstanders immediately issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast requesting assistance from vessels in the vicinity of Morning Midas. Three ‘good Samaritan’ vessels responded to the incident,” said the US Coast Guard.

Watchstanders later diverted a US Coast Guard cutter to the area, directed the launch of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, and positioned an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter air crew in Adak.

All 22 crew members aboard Morning Midas evacuated the ship and were subsequently rescued by the crew of Cosco Hellas, one of the good Samaritan vessels on scene, with no reported injuries, noted the US Coast Guard. 

The 9,300 teu Cosco Hellas operates a regular container line service from Asia to Panama under time charter to China’s Cosco and is destined for the port of Balboa.

“As the search and rescue portion of our response concludes, our crews are working closely with the vessel’s parent company, Zodiac Maritime, to determine the disposition of the vessel,” said Rear Admiral Megan Dean, commander of the Coast Guard’s 17th district.

“We are grateful for the selfless actions of the three nearby vessels who assisted in the response and the crew of motor vessel Cosco Hellas, who helped save 22 lives.”

According to the US Coast Guard, Morning Midas is estimated to have some 350 tonnes of marine gas oil and 1,530 tonnes of very low sulphur fuel oil on board.

Zodiac Maritime confirmed today, June 5, that is has appointed salvage company Resolve Marine to respond to the fire aboard Morning Midas.

A tug carrying a team of salvage specialists and equipment has been mobilised and is expected to arrive in the area of the stricken vessel on Monday (June 9).

“A tug will assess the vessel’s condition and provide necessary support. An additional firefighting tug, capable of ocean towage, is also being arranged to provide further support,” said Zodiac Maritime. 

The company added that it remains in close coordination with the US Coast Guard and “all other relevant parties” as it continues efforts to ensure the safety of all parties, and to protect the marine environment.

“We are grateful to the crew of Cosco Hellas for their swift assistance. Zodiac Maritime extends its sincere thanks to the US Coast Guard for all its continued support during and following the incident.”

Morning Midas remains afloat and based on latest images received from a coastguard overflight, remains alight with smoke emanating from the vessel.

Zodiac Maritime confirmed there have been no reports of pollution.