A cargo ship carrying electric vehicles caught fire off the coast of Alaska, forcing the crew to abandon ship. The incident occurred early in the morning on June 5, 2025, when the vessel, the MV Carina, encountered a mechanical failure that ignited a blaze in the cargo hold. The fire quickly spread throughout the ship, putting the safety of the crew at risk.
The MV Carina, a large cargo vessel operated by Global Marine Shipping, was on its way from Seattle to Anchorage, Alaska, when the fire broke out. According to reports from the U.S. Coast Guard, the crew initially attempted to contain the fire, but it soon became clear that the situation was too dangerous to manage. The captain made the decision to evacuate the ship and activate the emergency beacon for help.
The U.S. Coast Guard quickly responded, deploying two helicopters and a rescue ship to the scene. The crew was safely airlifted from the ship, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Coast Guard confirmed that the crew was transferred to a nearby vessel and taken to a safe port in Seward, Alaska.
The fire continued to rage aboard the MV Carina for several hours, with thick black smoke visible for miles around. Local authorities and environmental agencies are now concerned about the potential environmental impact of the fire, particularly due to the large number of electric vehicles onboard. The MV Carina was carrying over 200 electric cars, including models from major manufacturers like Tesla and Rivian. These vehicles, powered by lithium-ion batteries, are known to pose a unique fire risk due to the highly flammable nature of the batteries.
As the fire burned, the Coast Guard issued a maritime safety advisory, warning nearby vessels to avoid the area due to the hazardous smoke and risk of explosion. Fortunately, no other ships were reported to be in the immediate vicinity, and the fire was contained before it could spread to nearby marine life habitats.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but experts suggest that a mechanical failure or an issue with one of the electric vehicles could have triggered the blaze. A team from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been sent to Alaska to assist with the investigation. They will be looking into whether the ship’s fire suppression system functioned properly and whether there were any lapses in the vessel’s safety protocols.
Global Marine Shipping, the company responsible for the vessel, released a statement expressing relief that the crew was safe and confirming that they are working with authorities to investigate the cause of the fire. The company also pledged to cover the costs of any damages and environmental cleanup associated with the incident.
In the meantime, environmental groups have raised concerns about the environmental risks posed by the burning of lithium-ion batteries. These batteries contain hazardous chemicals such as cobalt, lithium, and nickel, which can release toxic fumes into the air when burned. There is also a risk of these chemicals leaking into the ocean, which could have long-term effects on marine life.
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are closely monitoring the situation and have initiated efforts to assess the potential environmental damage. While the ship was not carrying hazardous materials, the risk of contamination from the fire is still a concern. Cleanup efforts are expected to begin soon after the fire is fully extinguished.
This incident highlights the growing concerns surrounding the transportation of electric vehicles by sea. While electric vehicles are seen as a cleaner alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars, the risks associated with their batteries during transportation are becoming more apparent. As electric vehicles become more common on the roads, shipping companies and regulatory bodies will need to address the challenges of safely transporting these vehicles across oceans.
In the wake of the fire, industry experts are calling for stricter safety regulations and guidelines for transporting electric vehicles. This includes better fire suppression systems on cargo ships, more rigorous inspection procedures for electric vehicles being shipped, and clearer protocols for handling fires involving lithium-ion batteries. Experts also stress the importance of training crew members in handling such emergencies to minimize the risk of injury and damage.
The MV Carina incident also brings attention to the importance of having robust emergency response systems in place for all types of cargo, particularly as new technologies like electric vehicles are integrated into global shipping networks. As more electric vehicles are shipped internationally, it will be essential for shipping companies to adapt their safety measures and for regulatory bodies to create guidelines to address the unique risks posed by electric vehicle batteries.
While the immediate threat of the fire has been contained, the full environmental and economic impact of the incident is still unclear. Global Marine Shipping and authorities are expected to release more information as investigations continue. The company has assured the public that they will take all necessary steps to mitigate any damage caused by the fire and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of those involved and investigating the cause of the fire. As shipping companies and regulators work to understand the full scope of the incident, the industry will be closely watching for any new safety measures or regulations that might be implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
