Latest news with #TheMaritimeExecutive
The Advertiser
29-07-2025
- 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
29-07-2025
- 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
29-07-2025
- 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?
Miami Herald
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Photos Show British Aircraft Carrier Reaching Indo-Pacific Waters
The British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales arrived in Indo-Pacific waters after passing through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, as part of the Royal Navy flagship's deployment. The goal of the eight-month deployment is to reaffirm the United Kingdom's commitment to security in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions, the Royal Navy said on Tuesday. The Houthis-an Iran-backed armed group in Yemen-halted attacks in the Red Sea following a deal with the United States. Both sides exchanged fire in the crucial waterway from March to early May. The Prince of Wales left its home port in southern England in late April for a mission known as Operation Highmast. This will take the aircraft carrier to the Western Pacific Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Middle East for joint war games with U.K. allies and partners. The naval strike group led by the Prince of Wales completed what the Royal Navy called a safe passage through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, arriving in the Indian Ocean from the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, marking the next stage of its global deployment. Officially released photos show that the U.K. Carrier Strike Group, which includes multiple British, Canadian, Norwegian, and Spanish naval vessels, completed the transit in late May. A U.S. destroyer, USS Truxtun, was also seen sailing with the strike group in the Red Sea. The presence of the Truxtun complicates any potential Houthi attempts to target non-U. S. ships within the carrier strike group, the specialist outlet The Maritime Executive said. The U.S. destroyer also operated alongside the Prince of Wales in the Mediterranean last month. The Royal Navy did not disclose whether the carrier strike group conducted any operations, including escorting shipping, while in the Red Sea, the specialist outlet Navy Lookout noted. During its transit in the Red Sea, the Prince of Wales launched its F-35B stealth fighter jets, according to photos released by the Royal Navy. These aircraft are designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, as well as intelligence gathering and electronic warfare missions. Before departing Europe, the U.K. Carrier Strike Group conducted a naval exercise with the Italian Carrier Strike Group in the Ionian Sea, south of Italy, the Royal Navy said. The drill involved 21 warships, three submarines, 41 fighter jets, 19 helicopters, and 10 patrol aircraft. U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said on April 22: "As one of only a few nations capable of leading a deployment of this scale, the Royal Navy is once again demonstrating that U.K. defense is strong, modern, and ready to meet the threats of today and tomorrow." Commodore James Blackmore, commander of the U.K. Carrier Strike Group, said on April 22: "Working closely with partners from across the globe, Operation Highmast will demonstrate credible deterrence and our support to NATO and the rules-based international order." It remains to be seen whether the Prince of Wales will have the opportunity to operate with American aircraft carriers when it reaches the Western Pacific Ocean during its deployment. Related Articles JD Vance Is Being Proven Right About Europe's Free Speech ProblemTrump Signs Order Doubling Tariffs on Steel and AluminumNATO Ally Looks to Buy US Nuclear-Capable Fighter Jets to Counter Russia'Doctor Who' Pulls Shock Change as Lead Actor Makes Unexpected Exit 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mexico slashes controversial cruise tax after backlash
The Mexican government has U-turned on a hefty cruise tax that would have charged $42 per passenger for docking at its ports. Mexico's federal government has reportedly agreed to a lower amount and a phased roll-out of the cruise tax after pressure from the cruise industry and local governments where cruises contribute to the economy, industry magazine The Maritime Executive reported, citing Mexican newspapers. Negotiations, which started in December, delayed the rollout for six months. Initially, the federal government announced in late 2024 that it would end an exemption for cruise passengers from the tourist tax charge known as a 'Non-Resident Duty'. The tax was to be set at $42 per passenger as of 1 January 2025, in addition to potential higher costs depending on local port taxes. The government then allowed for this to be delayed until 1 July, giving the cruise industry time to adjust to the new taxes as well as starting negotiations to find a compromise. The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which represents 23 cruise lines such as Carnival, P&O and Royal Caribbean, was heavily involved in striking a compromise with the government. In December, the association sent a letter to Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, claiming that the tax would make cruise tourism in Mexico 213 per cent more expensive than the average Caribbean port, stating that the country would be priced out of the market. "This proposed tax could also jeopardise cruise industry investments in the country – including billions in planned development and other projects – meant to help rebuild Acapulco, cultivate new Mexican tourist destinations, employ more Mexican seafarers, and provide social programs to help underserved communities in Mexico', the FCCA's CEO Michele Paige wrote. After months of talks, Mexican media is reporting that a deal is now in place, with the tax on passengers significantly reduced from its initial $42 starting point. The tax will still begin in July, but at $5 per person, which will stay in place for the next 13 months. From August 2026 to July 2027, it will then increase to $10 per person and then $15 in 2027-2028. By November 2028, it will increase to $21 per passenger. The fee will be collected once per itinerary. The FCCA celebrated the tax reduction, saying in a statement: 'We thank the Federal Government of Mexico for working with us to reach an 'in transit fee' agreement that safeguards cruise tourism to the country and aims to enhance the benefits for local communities whose livelihoods depend on it. "The cruise industry is a success story for Mexico, contributing roughly $1 billion USD in direct spending to the economy in the past year alone. "This agreement demonstrates what we can accomplish together to foster opportunities for shared growth and success through ongoing, open dialogue and partnership with Mexico officials." Cruise lines have also agreed to support port infrastructure projects, such as a proposed fourth pier in Cozumel, as well as promote Mexican goods aboard their ships, The Maritime Executive said. The Independent has contacted the FCCA and Mexico's National Confederation of Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism for comment.
