ECOSIDE
Supertanker Disconnects from Pipeline in Storm Causing Oil Slick
Thai Oil along with multiple government agencies are racing to contain an oil slick that occurred overnight as a supertanker owned by Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines disconnected from an offshore pipeline connection during a storm. Oil dispersants, booms, and skimmers are being deployed to contain the spill.
The National Maritime Interests Protection Center (ThaiMecc) initially reported that an estimated 10 cubic meters or approximately 10,000 liters of oil had spilled in the Si Racha District southeast of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand. Later reports doubled the estimate to 20,000 liters.
The supertanker Phoenix Jamnagar (311,798 dwt – registered in Singapore) was at the offshore terminal connected to the pipeline. The vessel which was built in 2019 is reported to be operating under charter to Thai Oil.
Spill was drifting to the south at 1 to 2 knots (ThaiMecc)
The spill happened around midnight on June 5 due to unexpected severe weather conditions, including high waves and sudden strong winds. The company initiated a process to stop the oil transfer but during the sudden storm, the breakaway coupling worked as designed to prevent damage to the ship or pipeline. It disengaged causing the spill which officials report took 30 minutes to stop. Safety values permitted what is being called a small amount of oil.
Officials were reporting that booms were strung at 399 and 600 meters but the spill spread to create a slick covering an area estimated at 10 meters by 10 meters (32 feet) and being driven southward at a speed of 1 to 2 knots.
Boats and helicopters with dispersant were crossing the area and a skimmer had also been deployed. The goal was to complete the skimming operation by Friday afternoon.
Thai officials said the focus remains on protecting the marine environment. They believe it was an accident caused by the sudden storm. No damage was apparent to the tanker or the pipeline.
Car Carrier With EVs and Hybrids is Burning and Abandoned Mid-Pacific
The vehicle carrier Morning Midas was abandoned on Tuesday afternoon, June 3 in the mid-Pacific some 300 miles southwest of the remote Aleutian Islands after the crew was unable to control a fire aboard. The crew was rescued uninjured by a passing merchant ship while the U.S. Coast Guard Alaska was coordinating the effort.
The vessel, which is managed by London-based Zodiac Maritime, is reported to be carrying a total of 3,048 vehicles, with 70 being fully electric vehicles and 681 being partial hybrid electric vehicles. It was heading from China to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico. Lloyd’s is reporting the vessel is operating under charter to China’s SAIC Anji Logistics.
“Smoke was initially seen emanating from a deck carrying electric vehicles,” reported a spokesperson for Zodiac Maritime. “The crew immediately initiated emergency firefighting procedures using the vessel’s onboard fire suppression systems. However, despite their efforts, the situation could not be brought under control.”
In consultation with the United States Coast Guard, the 22 crew abandoned the vessel using its lifeboat. The Coast Guard reports three merchant ships were directed to the scene and that the containership Cosco Hellas (107,500 dwt – registered in Malta) rescued the crew. They are all reported to be in good condition.
Morning Midas and the rescue ship Cosco Hellas (USCG photo)
The U.S. Coast Guard Alaska also diverted the crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro to the area, directed the launch of a C-130J Super Hercules aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, and positioned an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter aircrew in Adak in the Aleutians.
In the latest update from the U.S. Coast Guard on June 4, they are reporting the status of the fire is currently unknown, but smoke is emanating from the vessel. Morning Midas is estimated to have approximately 350 metric tons of gas fuel and 1,530 metric tons of very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) onboard.
Morning Midas (12,250 dwt) is a Liberian-flagged Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), built in 2006 in China at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry. The vessel was cited during a port state inspection in Bremerhaven in October 2024 for unspecified issues with fire safety and launching arrangements for rescue boats, but it did not result in a detention. A subsequent standard inspection in Portland, Oregon by the U.S. Coast Guard in January 2025 found no issues with the vessel.
Electric vehicles have been a constant concern for the shipping industry with numerous reports of car fires. The fires are more difficult to handle because of the batteries prompting insurers and the industry to issue specific warnings about the handling of EVs. They have been believed to be the source of several other fires aboard ships.
Video: Monitoring Continues of Burning Car Carrier Drifting in the Pacific
After abandoning the car carrier Morning Midas in the mid-Pacific, efforts are continuing to monitor the position of the vessel while salvage experts rush to the scene. A team from Resolve Marine is expected to take nearly four days to reach the burning ship which is approximately 340 miles southwest of Adak in the Aleutians.
The managers of the vessel, Zodiac Maritime, reported that smoke was discovered on one of the car decks of the vessel around 1400 local time on June 3. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there are a total of 3,048 vehicles on board including 70 fully electric and 681 hybrid, partially electric vehicles. Zodiac says the smoke was initially seen emanating from a deck carrying electric vehicles.
Due to the intensity of the fire, and with concern for crew safety, Zodiac reports the decision was made to abandon the ship. The 22 crew went into one of the lifeboats and were picked up by the containership Cosco Hellas which had diverted to the scene.
“We are proud of the diligent efforts of our crew in responding to the fire onboard,” said a spokesperson for Zodiac Maritime. “They immediately activated the vessel’s well-drilled emergency firefighting protocols and deployed the onboard fire suppression systems, all of which were fully operational.”
Recent pictures from the U.S. Coast Guard which has been overflying the scene show smoke emanating from the vessel. Zodiac notes that no pollution has been seen and the Morning Midas remains afloat but is still on fire.
Resolve Marine has been appointed and their first tug carrying a team of salvage specialists and specialized equipment is already traveling to the vessel. However, Zodiac says they will not reach the vessel until approximately June 9.
Until the salvage team can reach the vessel, Zodiac reports it can monitor the vessel via the onboard satellite-connected systems. However, this only allows for tracking the vessel’s location, with limited ability to monitor other onboard conditions.
Once the salvage team reaches the vessel, it will assess its condition and provide necessary support. An additional fire-fighting tug, capable of ocean towage, is being arranged to provide further support.
The vessel had called at multiple ports in China with the local media confirming it is operating under charter for SAIC Anji Logistics. Bloomberg says it has several brands of cars aboard including models from Chery Automobile Co. and Great Wall Motor Co. The vessel was heading to Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico.
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