MSC sues CargoLoop for $276,299 after a container fire involving electric vehicles during transit from California to Lithuania.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has filed a lawsuit against CargoLoop in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking $276,299 in damages following a container fire involving damaged electric vehicles.
The fire occurred aboard the MSC Carlotta in September 2023, during a shipment from the Port of Long Beach, California, to the Port of Klaipeda, Lithuania.
The fire began with an explosion in a container loaded with electric vehicles as the vessel transited near Baja California, Mexico. It quickly spread to other containers, including a second one holding additional CargoLoop vehicles. The incident caused significant damage, including destroyed containers and water damage from firefighting efforts. The ship made an unscheduled stop at a Mexican port to isolate and inspect the affected cargo.
MSC's lawsuit highlights potential causes for the fire, including the failure of vehicle-securing racking systems used by CargoLoop. Investigators found evidence suggesting that a 2018 Tesla Model S and a 2012 Ford Focus Electric may have collided within the container, potentially damaging the batteries and triggering thermal runaway. MSC also suggested the batteries might have been damaged prior to shipment due to improper handling or failure to disconnect electrical systems, increasing the fire risk.
The total claim includes costs such as fire investigation fees, container loss, salvage expenses, and payments to other cargo owners. CargoLoop has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.
This incident underscores the growing safety challenges of transporting electric vehicles by sea. As the shipping industry handles increasing volumes of new energy vehicles, safety concerns around lithium-ion batteries remain a focal point. Improved shipper declarations, vehicle inspections, and securing practices are essential to mitigate risks and ensure safe transport across the logistics chain.
