A cargo ship that caught fire in the middle of the Pacific Ocean earlier this month has now sunk. The vessel was carrying around 3,000 vehicles, including about 800 electric cars, when flames broke out on board. The fire started on a deck loaded with electric vehicles, and despite efforts to control it, heavy weather made the situation worse, causing the ship to take on water and eventually sink on June 23.
The ship was abandoned roughly 360 miles from the nearest land, where the ocean is about 5,000 meters deep. This remote location made rescue and recovery efforts difficult. The second of three specialized rescue vessels did not arrive until June 15, over a week after the fire began, slowing the response.
The burned ship was transporting cars from several manufacturers such as Chery Automobile Co. and Great Wall Motor Co., heading towards Mexico. The presence of so many lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles on board highlights a growing concern for the shipping industry. As electric cars become more common, the risk of fires caused by lithium batteries during transit is increasing. Insurance companies like Allianz have recently reported on these rising hazards, pointing out that the high value and nature of these batteries add new challenges for maritime safety.
The incident shows how quickly things can go wrong when heavy weather meets dangerous cargo in the vast ocean. As electric vehicles continue to grow in popularity, the shipping industry will need to keep finding better ways to manage these risks to avoid accidents like this in the future.