Car Carrier ‘Felicity Ace’ Aflame With 4,000 Luxury Vehicles Worth $200 Million Left Adrift

The car carrier ‘Felicity Ace’ with a capacity of 6400 CEU and 656 feet in length, caught fire yesterday off the coast of the Azores in Portugal, along with its precious cargo comprising almost 4,000 luxury vehicles.

The Japanese owned car carrier ‘Felicity Ace’ built in 2005, with a market value today of USD 31.50 million, began transmitting distress signals after a fire broke out in one of the cargo decks. Fortunately, all 22 crew members are reported to have been evacuated safely, according to the New York Times. The vessel however is believed to have thousands of highly valuable Porsches, Volkswagens, Bentleys and Lamborghinis aboard, totalling over USD 200 million. At the moment it is unclear as to the full extent of valuable cargo lost.

Commenting on the incident, Dan Nash, Head of RoRos at VesselsValue said:

“There are very few suitable ships available in the market to replace her. MOL will have a difficult few days ahead dealing with insurance claims and fleet network changes.”

The vessel departed from Emden, Germany last Thursday and was on route to Davisville, US when the fire broke out. The ‘Felicity Ace’ last signalled at 12:11 on Thursday 17th February with a laden draft of 9.2m.

Updates From MOL

Statement 2 – 18th February 2022

Following the fire onboard the car carrier“Felicity Ace” on February 16, MOL Ship Management (Singapore) report that all crew members are now safe in a hotel in the Azores and all are in good health.

The Portuguese Navy, through the Ponta Delgada Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), has a warship standing by and monitoring the drift of Felicity Ace.

Managers have appointed a salvage company and an initial salvage team has arrived in the Azores and is on the way to the vessel estimated to arrive February 18(local time). Further salvage assets are being readied to attend the vessel.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines wishes to thank the Portuguese Navy, the local authorities in the Azores and those vessels that supported the rescue operation of the crew members in the best traditions of the Merchant marine.

Statement 1 – 17th February 2022

MOL Shipmanagement Singapore, managers of the car carrier “Felicity Ace” (IMO 9293911) report that the Panama Registered vessel has experienced a fire and the Master has taken the prudent decision to abandon the ship.

With assistance from commercial ships and helicopters in the area, all 22 crew members have been safely evacuated from the ship. All crew members have been taken ashore to the nearest island. At this time of the report, there has been no oil leakage observed from the vessel.

Felicity Ace was on passage from Germany to the USA, carrying car units, when the fire occurred in approximate position 37 deg.29.9N x 030 deg. 14.00W, some 90 nautical miles southwest of the Azores in the Atlantic. The fire was first reported at around 1130 hrs CET on February 16.

All the appropriate authorities have been alerted and are responding. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines as the operator of the vessel and MOL Shipmanagement Singapore has established an incident response team to coordinate the emergency.

As the safety of the crew members has been confirmed, MOL will make every effort to contain the damage and resolve the situation as the main priorities.

Press Release: VesselsValue & MOL

Background

Vehicle Carrier ‘Felicity Ace’ Catches Fire; 22 Crew Members Onboard Rescued Safely

Disclaimer :
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.

Latest Shipping News You Would Like:

U.S Navy Accuses Iranian Vessels Of Harassing Its Marine Attack Helicopter With Lasers

Posted on September 29, 2023

The vessels of IRGC shone a laser several times at a US attack helicopter as it was carrying out its routine operation in the international airspace yesterday, over the Gulf.

European Maritime Companies Ditching Toxic Ships On Bangladesh Beaches, Killing Workers

Posted on September 29, 2023

European maritime majors are now ditching old vessels for scraps on Bangladeshi beaches in polluting and dangerous conditions that have taken the lives of workers pulling them apart, informs Human Rights Watch.

HII Achieves Construction Milestone For Virginia-Class Submarine USS Arkansas

Posted on September 29, 2023

Newport News Shipbuilding has hit a significant and new milestone in the building of a Virginia-class sub dubbed Arkansas (SSN 800).

Improperly Declared Dangerous Goods Putting Lives At Risk In The Supply Chain

Posted on September 29, 2023

Over the past decade, containership fires have seen a disturbing rise, with a notable number resulting in casualties and total losses.

NYK To Trial Mooring System To Suppress Hull Shaking With Jera And Trelleborg Marine Systems

Posted on September 29, 2023

At many ports facing the open sea, hull shaking caused by sea swells and long-period waves has led to cargo-handling interruptions and ship evacuations, reducing port operation efficiency.