Felicity Ace
{{Short description|Vehicle carrier which sank in 2022}}
{{Coord|37.52861|-28.98560|display=title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| display title=ital | infobox caption = Felicity Ace }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Felicity Ace photo1.jpg | Ship image size = | Ship caption = Felicity Ace at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship country = | Ship flag = | Ship name =Felicity Ace | Ship owner =* 2005-2011 Aurora Car Maritime Transport
| Ship operator =Mitsui O.S.K. Lines | Ship registry = Panama City, {{flag|Panama|civil}} | Ship route = | Ship ordered = | Ship builder = Shin Kurushima Dockyard | Ship original cost = | Ship yard number = 5306 | Ship way number = | Ship laid down = 9 December 2004 | Ship launched = 2 July 2005 | Ship completed = 5 October 2005 | Ship christened = | Ship acquired = | Ship maiden voyage = | Ship in service = | Ship out of service = | Ship identification = *Callsign: 3ECX4
| Ship fate = Capsized and sank on 1 March 2022 after a fire | Ship notes = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = Nippon Kaiji Kyōkai cargo ship | Ship type = Ro-Ro car carrier | Ship tonnage = {{GT|60118}} | Ship displacement = {{convert|17738|t|LT|abbr=on}} | Ship length = {{convert|200|m|0|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|32.26|m|abbr=on}} | Ship power = 1 diesel engine rated at {{convert|15286|kW|hp |
| 1|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = single shaft, 1 propeller | Ship speed = {{convert|22.3|kn|lk=in}} | Ship capacity = | Ship crew = | Ship notes = }} |
Felicity Ace was a 60,000 tonne roll-on/roll-off cargo ship (pure car/truck carrier) built by Shin Kurushima Dockyard in 2005. It was owned and operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines of Japan, and the ship was registered in Panama. It caught fire in February 2022 south of the Azores, whilst transporting vehicles from Germany to the United States. The ship then capsized and sank in early March with an estimated cargo worth over $400 million.
Design and construction
Felicity Ace was designed for the dedicated carriage of cars and trucks. The length of the vessel was {{convert|200|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, the beam {{convert|32.26|m|ft|abbr=on}} and the service draught {{convert|9.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The vessel's deadweight was 17,738 tonnes, with a gross tonnage of 60,118.{{cite web |title=Felicity Ace |url=https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/vessels/felicity-ace-27003/ |publisher=Port of Hamburg |access-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703102147/https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/vessels/felicity-ace-27003/ |archive-date=3 July 2022}} It was powered by a single main diesel engine rated at {{convert|15286|kW|hp|-1|abbr=on}}, giving a service speed of {{convert|22.3|kn}}.
The ship was built at Shin Kurushima Dockyard's Ōnishi facility in Imabari, Ehime, Japan, at Yard No. 5306 for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) of Japan and issued with IMO number 9293911. The ship's keel was laid on 9 December 2004, and it was launched on 2 July 2005. Felicity Ace was completed on 5 October 2005 and delivered to MOL in the registered ownership of Aurora Car Maritime Transport SA under the Panamanian flag.{{csr |register=MSI |id=9293911 |shipname=Felicity Ace |accessdate=2022-07-03}}{{csr |register=E |id=9293911 |shipname=Felicity Ace |accessdate=2022-07-03}} From 2011 her registered owner was Snowscape Car Carriers SA, remaining under MOL group management.
2022 fire
The ship sailed from Emden, Germany, on 10 February 2022, carrying 3,965 Volkswagen Group cars, including Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley models.{{Cite web|last=Hägler|first=Max|title=Führerlos im Atlantik: 3965 VW-Autos|url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/schiffsunglueck-felicityace-vw-atlantik-1.5532025|access-date=2022-02-18|website=Süddeutsche.de|language=de}}{{Cite web|title=Burning Ship Drifts In Atlantic With Lamborghinis, Porsches, Audis Aboard|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/felicity-ace-felicity-ace-cargo-ship-burning-ship-carrying-porsches-audis-lamborghinis-drifts-in-atlantic-2774938|access-date=2022-02-18|website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-05 |title=Dit waren alle auto's op de gezonken Felicity Ace, inclusief een paar bijzondere exemplaren |url=https://topgear.nl/autonieuws/alle-autos-gezonken-felicity-ace/ |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=TopGear |language=nl}}
The cargo section caught fire on 16 February 2022, while crossing the North Atlantic heading for Davisville, Rhode Island.{{Cite web|last=Korn|first=Jennifer|title=A cargo ship full of luxury cars is on fire and adrift in the middle of the Atlantic|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/17/tech/ship-fire-luxury-cars/index.html|access-date=2022-02-18|website=CNN|date=17 February 2022 }} At that time, the ship was about {{convert|200|mi|order=flip}} from Terceira Island in the Azores.{{Cite news|last=Patel|first=Vimal|date=2022-02-18|title=Ship Carrying 1,100 Porsches and Other Luxury Cars Is Burning and Adrift|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/17/world/europe/felicity-ace-vessel-fire.html|access-date=2022-02-20|issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218024149/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/17/world/europe/felicity-ace-vessel-fire.html |archive-date=2022-02-18}} All 22 crew members abandoned ship and survived, being evacuated by the Portuguese Navy.{{Citation|title=Helicóptero da Força Aérea resgata 22 tripulantes de navio após incêndio a bordo|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hGCaaWtuEQ|language=en|access-date=2022-02-18}}{{Cite news|last=Patel|first=Vimal|date=2022-02-18|title=Ship Carrying 1,100 Porsches and Other Luxury Cars Is Burning and Adrift|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/17/world/europe/felicity-ace-vessel-fire.html|access-date=2022-02-18|issn=0362-4331}} The Azorean harbourmaster told Reuters that lithium-ion batteries in electric cars had ignited and the fire could only be extinguished with special equipment. Contrary to speculations in the media, it is unknown whether an electric car caused the initial fire.{{Cite web|title=Golem.de: IT-News für Profis|url=https://www.golem.de/sonstiges/zustimmung/auswahl.html?from=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.golem.de%2Fnews%2Ffelicity-ace-transportschiff-mit-e-autos-und-hybriden-in-brand-geraten-2202-163299.html|access-date=2022-02-20|website=www.golem.de}}
Felicity Ace was being followed by the Portuguese Navy patrol ship NRP Setúbal, approximately {{convert|170|km}} southwest of the Azores, waiting for rescuers to try to extinguish the fire and tow the vessel to shore.{{Cite web|date=2022-02-18|title=4000 VW-Fahrzeuge geladen: Autofrachter brennt im Atlantik – Mannschaft gerettet|url=https://www.ksta.de/panorama/4000-vw-fahrzeuge-geladen-autofrachter-brennt-im-atlantik---mannschaft-gerettet-39471766|access-date=2022-02-18|website=Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger|language=de-DE}} On 18 February, Smit Salvage were contracted to salvage the ship.{{Cite web|last=magazin|first=Sina Osterholt, Anna Driftschröer, manager|title=Smit Salvage soll die Autos auf dem brennenden Schiff "Felicity Ace" löschen|url=https://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/autoindustrie/smit-salvage-soll-die-autos-auf-dem-brennenden-schiff-felicity-ace-loeschen-a-67db1926-5566-4d8e-9e19-90533723b961|access-date=2022-02-21|website=www.manager-magazin.de|language=de}}
Two large tugs with firefighting equipment were ordered to support the vessel from Gibraltar. In addition, a salvage craft with firefighting equipment was set to arrive from Rotterdam on 23 or 24 February.{{cite web |url=https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2022/37269/mol-car-carrier-fire-abandoned-atlantic/ |title=MOL car carrier on fire, abandoned, Atlantic UPDATE Feb 19 |work=Fleetmon |date=16 February 2022 |access-date=21 February 2022}} A Portuguese Navy spokesman said that Felicity Ace was unlikely to be towed to a port in the Azores due to its size.{{Cite news|last=Franklin|first=Jonathan|date=2022-02-17|title=A burning cargo ship full of Porsches and VWs is adrift in the mid-Atlantic|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/02/17/1081620129/porsche-volkswagen-burning-cargo-ship|access-date=2022-02-20}}
The ship drifted and burned in the Atlantic for about a week. After the fire was extinguished, a team from Smit was able to board and stabilize the ship, and a towing connection to a tug was established.{{Cite web |last=magazin |first=manager |title=Volkswagen: Feuer auf Schiff "Felicity Ace" mit 1100 Porsche und VW-Elektroautos ist aus, Frachter an Schlepper gebunden |url=https://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/volkswagen-feuer-auf-schiff-felicity-ace-mit-1100-porsche-und-vw-elektroautos-ist-aus-frachter-an-schlepper-gebunden-a-c173bf2d-8e85-4ea4-9c93-5a0967a7a430 |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=www.manager-magazin.de |language=de}}
== Sinking ==
On 1 March 2022, Felicity Ace was reported to have capsized and sunk.{{cite news |url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/burnt-car-carrier-felicity-ace-sinks-494679 |title=Burnt car carrier Felicity Ace sinks |work=Marine Link|last=Haun|first=Eric|date=1 March 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022}} A Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) spokesperson said that the ship developed a 45-degree starboard list and unexpectedly capsized at approximately 9 am local time about {{cvt|350|km}} off the Azores in rough seas. MOL was unable to confirm if any oil pollution had occurred. The Portuguese Navy said oily residue and wreckage was visible at the surface, the water was about {{cvt|3,000|m|ft}} deep at the sinking site, and that naval forces would continue to monitor the area.{{cite web| last=Raymunt |first=Monica |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-01/burnt-out-ship-carrying-4-000-vw-vehicles-sinks-in-rough-seas |title=Burnt-Out Ship Carrying Porsches and Lamborghinis Sinks in Rough Seas |website=bloomberg.com |date=2022-03-01 |access-date=2022-03-01 |quote=“There doesn’t appear to be any oil pollution yet -- they’re checking on that,” the [Mitsui O.S.K.] spokesperson said.}}
Vehicles lost
Porsche lost 1,117 cars on the ship,{{Cite web |title=Porsche CEO: "up to us" to replace 1000 cars lost in ship fire |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/business-tech%2C-development-and-manufacturing/porsche-ceo-us-replace-1000-cars-lost-ship |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Autocar |language=en}} Audi claimed a loss of 1,944 vehicles, Volkswagen lost 561, Bentley lost 189, and Lamborghini lost 85 cars.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-06 |title=These Are The Amazing Cars That Were Destroyed In The Atlantic Ocean |url=https://carbuzz.com/news/these-are-the-amazing-cars-that-were-destroyed-in-the-atlantic-ocean |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=CarBuzz |language=en-us}}{{cite web|date=2022-04-05|url=https://www.carscoops.com/2022/04/heres-the-entire-manifest-of-cars-aboard-sunken-felicity-ace-cargo-ship/|website=Carscoops|title=Here's The Entire Manifest Of Cars Aboard Sunken Felicity Ace Cargo Ship}}
In addition to numerous family vehicles, including Volkswagen ID.4 and Audi e-tron electric cars, the ship carried fifteen high performance Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae vehicles, with an estimated retail price above {{Currency|500,000|US}} each. The Ultimae was the last edition of the Aventador to be produced, and at the time of the accident, Aventador production had ended.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-13 |title=Lamborghini Finally Delivered the Final Aventador |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a41611908/lamborghini-aventador-ultimae-last-vehicle/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Car and Driver |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=ImportInfo.com |url=https://www.importinfo.com/search/manifests?imo=9293911&arrival_date=2022-04-01&port=5301 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.importinfo.com}}{{Cite web |title=ImportInfo.com |url=https://www.importinfo.com/search/manifests?imo=9293911&arrival_date=2022-03-27&port=1803 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.importinfo.com}}{{Cite web |title=ImportInfo.com |url=https://www.importinfo.com/search/manifests?imo=9293911&arrival_date=2022-03-24&port=0502 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.importinfo.com}} The ship also carried some privately-owned cars and trucks of varying makes and models along with numerous tractors.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-17 |title=Lamborghini, VW, Audi Cars in 'Felicity Ace' Ship Fire to Be Replaced |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a39462216/bugatti-lamborghini-felicity-ace-replacements/ |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Car and Driver |language=en-us}} Lamborghini had rebuilt these 15 lost models, and the last one being designed like a Miura P400.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}
Analysts estimated the damage caused by the cargo loss to be between {{Currency|334 million|US|passthrough=yes}} and {{Currency|401 million|US|passthrough=yes}}.{{Cite web |last=Raymunt |first=Monica |date=2022-02-25 |title=VW fears most of its cars on burning ship are beyond salvage |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2022/02/25/vw-fears-most-of-its-cars-on-burning-ship-are-beyond-salvage |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Daily News |language=en-US}}
Insurance claims
By 2024 Volkswagen still faced lawsuits in Germany from plaintiffs, including Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Allianz SE, one of the insurers of the vessel, over claims it was the battery in a Porsche electric vehicle that triggered the fire onboard. Claimants allege that VW failed to inform them of the danger and necessary precautions needed when transporting such EVs.{{cite web |last1=Matussek |first1=Karin |title=Volkswagen hit with 2 lawsuits claiming that a Porsche EV battery triggered the massive 2022 fire that sank a cargo ship with thousands of cars on board |url=https://fortune.com/europe/2024/03/05/volkswagen-hit-2-lawsuits-porsche-ev-battery-triggered-massive-2022-fire-sank-cargo-ship-thousands-cars/ |website=Fortune Magazine |publisher=Fortune Media IP Limited |access-date=5 March 2024}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|IMO 9293911}}
{{2022 shipwrecks}}
{{Mitsui O.S.K. Lines}}
Category:Shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean
Category:Maritime incidents in 2022