Automotive News reports that a cargo ship named Morning Midas caught fire on June 3rd and sank almost three weeks later. The ship was carrying 3,048 Chinese cars bound for Mexico. Among those thousands of cars were some GM models and approximately 750 EVs and hybrids.
“We can confirm some of the vehicles on the vessel were GM-badged vehicles,” a GM spokesperson told GM Authority. “We’re still assessing the situation and have no additional details to share.”
However, none of the GM-badged vehicles were EVs. There are several possibilities for what GM models could’ve been aboard the Morning Midas when it sank. A few non-EV models built in China and shipped to Mexico include the Chevy Aveo/Sail, Chevy Groove, Chevy Captiva, Chevy S10 Max/D-Max, Chevy Tornado Van/N400, and the Chevy Express Max. Another possibility is the Chevy Onix, which is also built in South America, but GM does export them from China to Mexico, as well.
Of course, there’s also the Buick Envision, the only Chinese-built GM model marketed in the United States. It’s possible that GM loaded some Envision crossovers onto this ship bound for the U.S. by way of Mexico.
Studies have suggested that EVs are not inherently more likely to catch fire than ICE-powered vehicles. The problem is that once an EV is on fire, it’s difficult to extinguish with conventional firefighting equipment that’s commonly aboard cargo ships.
Other cargo ships with EV fires that suffered the same fate as the Morning Midas include the Felicity Ace in February of 2022 and the Fremantle in July of 2023. According to the Anderson Economic Group, the combined estimated cost of these three wrecks is about $1.8 billion. “This is a huge cost, and another blaring warning klaxon to the industry about the risks of shipping EVs in closed containers,” CEO Patrick Anderson said.
Disasters like this one could motivate the automotive industry to alter its methods for international EV shipping. Allianz Commercial senior marine risk consultant Capt. Randall Lund told Automotive News the shipping industry needs to work with automakers to help them “understand that maybe they can’t ship 400 EVs at one time,” or that “cargo ships require additional spacing.”
Comments
Those EVs are so dangerous. Should probably ban them.
and start subsidizing gas cars for a change!
And this is on the heels of BYD’s sales collapsing 20% YTD vs the projected 30% growth. The CCP has ordered BYD to slow production to avoid it costing the country and BUD neededing a bailout that the CCP can’t afford at the moment.
Good for them. They would not have had this issue if these cars were built in North America preferably in the US.
“North America” Good one. You do realize that includes your two 2nd worst enemies. Right?
Canada electing a WEF puppet sure didn’t help.
The report I heard on TV the fire was started by an EV battery.