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The Advertiser
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
EVs banned by global shipping company due to fire hazard
An international shipping company has banned electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from its vessels after an onboard fire caused a rival company's ship to sink in the North Pacific Ocean earlier this year. Matson, a 104-year-old transport and services company based in the US state of Hawaii, confirmed it will no longer ship EVs or PHEVs across the Pacific Ocean – or any other sea. "Due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels," said a letter to customers from the company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). "Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It's a blow not only for automakers but prospective buyers, with The Maritime Executive reporting figures from the Hawaiian Electric Vehicle Association that estimate around 37,000 of the 1.2 million-plus cars in Hawaii are EVs. Fires from vehicles with lithium batteries have unique characteristics, including rapidly reaching temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius from 'thermal runway', as well as toxic-gas release, making them difficult to extinguish. In addition to vehicles themselves, fires have also quickly engulfed nearby cars and caused significant damage to buildings, as well as shipping vessels. According to The Maritime Executive, Matson had worked to overcome the difficulties, including forming the Electric Vehicle Safe Carriage Group to resolve the issue. It worked on transport and stowage procedures for shipping EVs, and installing thermal imaging cameras to monitor temperature spikes indicating a fire. However, Matson said the ability to monitor and respond to EV and PHEV fires was hampered by their placement in shipping containers. "Matson continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented," it said in the customer letter. In June, the 46,800-ton Morning Midas, carrying 3048 vehicles including 70 EVs and 681 hybrids, caught fire on route from China to Mexico. The blaze caused the ship to be evacuated and then abandoned around 483km off the coast of Alaska, before recovery attempts were made. The makes and models of the vehicles on board were not disclosed. It was the third fire in a vessel with EVs on board, after the Fremantle Highway sank off the Portuguese coast in 2023 and the Felicity Ace was lost the previous year. MORE: Charging EV goes up in flames, but firies say it wasn't the car's fault MORE: Has the solution to fierce EV fires been discovered? Content originally sourced from: An international shipping company has banned electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from its vessels after an onboard fire caused a rival company's ship to sink in the North Pacific Ocean earlier this year. Matson, a 104-year-old transport and services company based in the US state of Hawaii, confirmed it will no longer ship EVs or PHEVs across the Pacific Ocean – or any other sea. "Due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels," said a letter to customers from the company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). "Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It's a blow not only for automakers but prospective buyers, with The Maritime Executive reporting figures from the Hawaiian Electric Vehicle Association that estimate around 37,000 of the 1.2 million-plus cars in Hawaii are EVs. Fires from vehicles with lithium batteries have unique characteristics, including rapidly reaching temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius from 'thermal runway', as well as toxic-gas release, making them difficult to extinguish. In addition to vehicles themselves, fires have also quickly engulfed nearby cars and caused significant damage to buildings, as well as shipping vessels. According to The Maritime Executive, Matson had worked to overcome the difficulties, including forming the Electric Vehicle Safe Carriage Group to resolve the issue. It worked on transport and stowage procedures for shipping EVs, and installing thermal imaging cameras to monitor temperature spikes indicating a fire. However, Matson said the ability to monitor and respond to EV and PHEV fires was hampered by their placement in shipping containers. "Matson continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented," it said in the customer letter. In June, the 46,800-ton Morning Midas, carrying 3048 vehicles including 70 EVs and 681 hybrids, caught fire on route from China to Mexico. The blaze caused the ship to be evacuated and then abandoned around 483km off the coast of Alaska, before recovery attempts were made. The makes and models of the vehicles on board were not disclosed. It was the third fire in a vessel with EVs on board, after the Fremantle Highway sank off the Portuguese coast in 2023 and the Felicity Ace was lost the previous year. MORE: Charging EV goes up in flames, but firies say it wasn't the car's fault MORE: Has the solution to fierce EV fires been discovered? Content originally sourced from: An international shipping company has banned electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from its vessels after an onboard fire caused a rival company's ship to sink in the North Pacific Ocean earlier this year. Matson, a 104-year-old transport and services company based in the US state of Hawaii, confirmed it will no longer ship EVs or PHEVs across the Pacific Ocean – or any other sea. "Due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels," said a letter to customers from the company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). "Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It's a blow not only for automakers but prospective buyers, with The Maritime Executive reporting figures from the Hawaiian Electric Vehicle Association that estimate around 37,000 of the 1.2 million-plus cars in Hawaii are EVs. Fires from vehicles with lithium batteries have unique characteristics, including rapidly reaching temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius from 'thermal runway', as well as toxic-gas release, making them difficult to extinguish. In addition to vehicles themselves, fires have also quickly engulfed nearby cars and caused significant damage to buildings, as well as shipping vessels. According to The Maritime Executive, Matson had worked to overcome the difficulties, including forming the Electric Vehicle Safe Carriage Group to resolve the issue. It worked on transport and stowage procedures for shipping EVs, and installing thermal imaging cameras to monitor temperature spikes indicating a fire. However, Matson said the ability to monitor and respond to EV and PHEV fires was hampered by their placement in shipping containers. "Matson continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented," it said in the customer letter. In June, the 46,800-ton Morning Midas, carrying 3048 vehicles including 70 EVs and 681 hybrids, caught fire on route from China to Mexico. The blaze caused the ship to be evacuated and then abandoned around 483km off the coast of Alaska, before recovery attempts were made. The makes and models of the vehicles on board were not disclosed. It was the third fire in a vessel with EVs on board, after the Fremantle Highway sank off the Portuguese coast in 2023 and the Felicity Ace was lost the previous year. MORE: Charging EV goes up in flames, but firies say it wasn't the car's fault MORE: Has the solution to fierce EV fires been discovered? Content originally sourced from: An international shipping company has banned electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from its vessels after an onboard fire caused a rival company's ship to sink in the North Pacific Ocean earlier this year. Matson, a 104-year-old transport and services company based in the US state of Hawaii, confirmed it will no longer ship EVs or PHEVs across the Pacific Ocean – or any other sea. "Due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels," said a letter to customers from the company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). "Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It's a blow not only for automakers but prospective buyers, with The Maritime Executive reporting figures from the Hawaiian Electric Vehicle Association that estimate around 37,000 of the 1.2 million-plus cars in Hawaii are EVs. Fires from vehicles with lithium batteries have unique characteristics, including rapidly reaching temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius from 'thermal runway', as well as toxic-gas release, making them difficult to extinguish. In addition to vehicles themselves, fires have also quickly engulfed nearby cars and caused significant damage to buildings, as well as shipping vessels. According to The Maritime Executive, Matson had worked to overcome the difficulties, including forming the Electric Vehicle Safe Carriage Group to resolve the issue. It worked on transport and stowage procedures for shipping EVs, and installing thermal imaging cameras to monitor temperature spikes indicating a fire. However, Matson said the ability to monitor and respond to EV and PHEV fires was hampered by their placement in shipping containers. "Matson continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented," it said in the customer letter. In June, the 46,800-ton Morning Midas, carrying 3048 vehicles including 70 EVs and 681 hybrids, caught fire on route from China to Mexico. The blaze caused the ship to be evacuated and then abandoned around 483km off the coast of Alaska, before recovery attempts were made. The makes and models of the vehicles on board were not disclosed. It was the third fire in a vessel with EVs on board, after the Fremantle Highway sank off the Portuguese coast in 2023 and the Felicity Ace was lost the previous year. MORE: Charging EV goes up in flames, but firies say it wasn't the car's fault MORE: Has the solution to fierce EV fires been discovered? Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
a day ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
EVs banned by global shipping company due to fire hazard
An international shipping company has banned electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from its vessels after an onboard fire caused a rival company's ship to sink in the North Pacific Ocean earlier this year. Matson, a 104-year-old transport and services company based in the US state of Hawaii, confirmed it will no longer ship EVs or PHEVs across the Pacific Ocean – or any other sea. 'Due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels,' said a letter to customers from the company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). 'Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades.' CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It's a blow not only for automakers but prospective buyers, with The Maritime Executive reporting figures from the Hawaiian Electric Vehicle Association that estimate around 37,000 of the 1.2 million-plus cars in Hawaii are EVs. Fires from vehicles with lithium batteries have unique characteristics, including rapidly reaching temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius from 'thermal runway', as well as toxic-gas release, making them difficult to extinguish. In addition to vehicles themselves, fires have also quickly engulfed nearby cars and caused significant damage to buildings, as well as shipping vessels. According to The Maritime Executive, Matson had worked to overcome the difficulties, including forming the Electric Vehicle Safe Carriage Group to resolve the issue. It worked on transport and stowage procedures for shipping EVs, and installing thermal imaging cameras to monitor temperature spikes indicating a fire. However, Matson said the ability to monitor and respond to EV and PHEV fires was hampered by their placement in shipping containers. 'Matson continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented,' it said in the customer letter. In June, the 46,800-ton Morning Midas, carrying 3048 vehicles including 70 EVs and 681 hybrids, caught fire on route from China to Mexico. The blaze caused the ship to be evacuated and then abandoned around 483km off the coast of Alaska, before recovery attempts were made. The makes and models of the vehicles on board were not disclosed. It was the third fire in a vessel with EVs on board, after the Fremantle Highway sank off the Portuguese coast in 2023 and the Felicity Ace was lost the previous year.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
EVs banned by global shipping company due to fire hazard
An international shipping company has banned electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from its vessels after an onboard fire caused a rival company's ship to sink in the North Pacific Ocean earlier this year. Matson, a 104-year-old transport and services company based in the US state of Hawaii, confirmed it will no longer ship EVs or PHEVs across the Pacific Ocean – or any other sea. 'Due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels,' said a letter to customers from the company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). 'Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades.' CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert It's a blow not only for automakers but prospective buyers, with The Maritime Executive reporting figures from the Hawaiian Electric Vehicle Association that estimate around 37,000 of the 1.2 million-plus cars in Hawaii are EVs. Fires from vehicles with lithium batteries have unique characteristics, including rapidly reaching temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Celsius from 'thermal runway', as well as toxic-gas release, making them difficult to extinguish. In addition to vehicles themselves, fires have also quickly engulfed nearby cars and caused significant damage to buildings, as well as shipping vessels. According to The Maritime Executive, Matson had worked to overcome the difficulties, including forming the Electric Vehicle Safe Carriage Group to resolve the issue. Supplied Credit: CarExpert It worked on transport and stowage procedures for shipping EVs, and installing thermal imaging cameras to monitor temperature spikes indicating a fire. However, Matson said the ability to monitor and respond to EV and PHEV fires was hampered by their placement in shipping containers. 'Matson continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented,' it said in the customer letter. In June, the 46,800-ton Morning Midas, carrying 3048 vehicles including 70 EVs and 681 hybrids, caught fire on route from China to Mexico. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The blaze caused the ship to be evacuated and then abandoned around 483km off the coast of Alaska, before recovery attempts were made. The makes and models of the vehicles on board were not disclosed. It was the third fire in a vessel with EVs on board, after the Fremantle Highway sank off the Portuguese coast in 2023 and the Felicity Ace was lost the previous year. MORE: Charging EV goes up in flames, but firies say it wasn't the car's fault MORE: Has the solution to fierce EV fires been discovered?
Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Fire breaks out on ship carrying EVS
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. An American shipping company has banned electric vehicles from travelling on its vessels following a series of fires at sea. The latest fire saw the Morning Midas car carrier burn at sea for three weeks with more than 3000 cars on board before capsizing and sinking to a depth of more than 16,000 feet near Alaska. In this photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, smoke rises from cargo vessel Morning Midas, a cargo ship carrying around 3000 vehicles to Mexico. Picture: U.S. Coast Guard/Courtesy Air Station Kodiak via AP MORE: Burnt through – pics reveal EV inferno It follows similar incidents for car carriers such as the Fremantle Highway in 2023 and Felicity Ace in 2022. All three ships were carrying a mix of electric, hybrid, and conventionally powered vehicles. Matson, a company that specialises in shipping goods including vehicles between the US mainland, Hawaii, Guam and Alaska, surprised customers in July by declaring an EV ban. The merchant ship Felicity Ace adrift after a fire broke out on board in 2022 off the Portuguese coast. Photo: Portuguese Navy / AFP MORE: Ship carrying EVs sinks in the pacific A statement issued by the company said that 'due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels,' it said. 'Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades.' The company says it 'continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented.' Salvage workers recover an electric Mercedes from the fire-stricken Fremantle Highway ship. YouTube/Eemskrant MORE: Ship packed with luxury cars sunk The shipping industry is scrambling to address the risk of EV fires. A Maritime Technologies Forum report published in March 2025 states that although some regional guidelines are in place, 'there are no international regulations dedicated for safe carriage of EVs'. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) says 'batteries that power electric vehicles pose unique fire risks, particularly thermal runaway … Lithium-ion battery fires can be difficult to extinguish, burn at extremely high temperatures, generate flammable and toxic gases, and may reignite even after being seemingly controlled'. A fire broke out on the Fremantle Highway late on July 25, 2023, killing one crew member, and prompting a massive effort to extinguish the flames. Photo: Handout / Netherlands Coastguards / AFP Christopher Wiernicki, chairman and chief executive of the ABS, says 'runaway electric vehicle fires can reach temperatures of 1,200°F (650°C) or higher and present unprecedented safety challenges to the shipping industry, which connects manufactured vehicles to global markets'. He says the ABS recently developed a software model for EV fires that 'will be a foundation of the ultimate solution' for rules surrounding the shipping of electric vehicles. Originally published as Fire breaks out on ship carrying EVS
Daily Telegraph
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Telegraph
Fire breaks out on ship carrying EVS
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. An American shipping company has banned electric vehicles from travelling on its vessels following a series of fires at sea. The latest fire saw the Morning Midas car carrier burn at sea for three weeks with more than 3000 cars on board before capsizing and sinking to a depth of more than 16,000 feet near Alaska. In this photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, smoke rises from cargo vessel Morning Midas, a cargo ship carrying around 3000 vehicles to Mexico. Picture: U.S. Coast Guard/Courtesy Air Station Kodiak via AP MORE: Burnt through – pics reveal EV inferno It follows similar incidents for car carriers such as the Fremantle Highway in 2023 and Felicity Ace in 2022. All three ships were carrying a mix of electric, hybrid, and conventionally powered vehicles. Matson, a company that specialises in shipping goods including vehicles between the US mainland, Hawaii, Guam and Alaska, surprised customers in July by declaring an EV ban. The merchant ship Felicity Ace adrift after a fire broke out on board in 2022 off the Portuguese coast. Photo: Portuguese Navy / AFP MORE: Ship carrying EVs sinks in the pacific A statement issued by the company said that 'due to increasing concern for the safety of transporting vehicles powered by large lithium-ion batteries, Matson is suspending acceptance of used or new electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles for transport aboard its vessels,' it said. 'Effective immediately, we have ceased accepting new bookings for these shipments to/from all trades.' The company says it 'continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea and plans to resume acceptance of them when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented.' Salvage workers recover an electric Mercedes from the fire-stricken Fremantle Highway ship. YouTube/Eemskrant MORE: Ship packed with luxury cars sunk The shipping industry is scrambling to address the risk of EV fires. A Maritime Technologies Forum report published in March 2025 states that although some regional guidelines are in place, 'there are no international regulations dedicated for safe carriage of EVs'. The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) says 'batteries that power electric vehicles pose unique fire risks, particularly thermal runaway … Lithium-ion battery fires can be difficult to extinguish, burn at extremely high temperatures, generate flammable and toxic gases, and may reignite even after being seemingly controlled'. A fire broke out on the Fremantle Highway late on July 25, 2023, killing one crew member, and prompting a massive effort to extinguish the flames. Photo: Handout / Netherlands Coastguards / AFP Christopher Wiernicki, chairman and chief executive of the ABS, says 'runaway electric vehicle fires can reach temperatures of 1,200°F (650°C) or higher and present unprecedented safety challenges to the shipping industry, which connects manufactured vehicles to global markets'. He says the ABS recently developed a software model for EV fires that 'will be a foundation of the ultimate solution' for rules surrounding the shipping of electric vehicles. Originally published as Fire breaks out on ship carrying EVS
