Massive cargo ship Felicity Ace, laden with as many as 4000 “luxury” cars bound from Germany to the US, sank in the mid-Atlantic, in March 2022.
Yes, the Felicity Ace, a large cargo ship, tragically sank in the mid-Atlantic Ocean in March 2022 while en route from Germany to the United States. The ship was carrying nearly 4,000 luxury vehicles, including brands like Porsche, Bentley, and Audi. The vessel, which was about 200 meters long, encountered difficulties when a fire broke out onboard while it was around 1,000 miles (1,600 km) south of the Azores.
The fire on the Felicity Ace was first reported on February 16, 2022, and the crew of 22 were safely evacuated. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire worsened, and the ship eventually lost power, drifting for days. After days of struggling to contain the fire, the Felicity Ace sank on March 1, 2022.
The cause of the fire was not definitively determined, though the presence of lithium-ion batteries in some of the electric vehicles onboard (such as the Porsche Taycan) raised concerns, as these types of batteries are known to pose a heightened risk of fire. Thankfully, no lives were lost in the incident, but the sinking of the Felicity Ace represented a significant loss in terms of both valuable cargo and environmental concerns.
The Felicity Ace disaster made headlines not only because of the valuable cargo it was carrying but also due to the challenges faced in attempting to manage a fire on such a massive vessel in the middle of the ocean.
Key Details of the Incident:
Departure and Destination
The Felicity Ace set sail from Emden, Germany, on February 10, 2022, with a destination of Davisville, Rhode Island, in the United States.
It was carrying an array of high-end luxury cars, with a particular focus on brands like Porsche, Audi, Bentley, and Volkswagen. It is estimated that 3,965 vehicles were onboard.
The Fire
The fire broke out on February 16, just six days after the ship departed.
The crew attempted to extinguish the blaze using onboard firefighting systems, but the fire proved too severe. As the fire spread, it rendered the ship powerless, and it began drifting.
Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles, and emergency response teams, including several vessels and aircraft, were dispatched to assist.
Evacuation of the Crew
Fortunately, the 22 crew members were safely evacuated via helicopter to the nearby Azores Islands. No one was injured in the evacuation, though the fire continued to rage uncontrollably.
Challenges in Fighting the Fire
The location of the ship, far from land, complicated firefighting efforts. The fire was believed to have started in the ship’s cargo hold, potentially near the electric vehicle batteries, which are notoriously difficult to extinguish once ignited.
Some experts have suggested that the high number of electric vehicles onboard could have contributed to the severity of the fire. Lithium-ion batteries, when damaged or exposed to heat, can lead to thermal runaway, which can cause fires that are incredibly difficult to put out.
Sinking of the Felicity Ace
On March 1, 2022, after drifting for several days, the Felicity Ace sank approximately 220 miles off the coast of the Azores.
The ship’s cargo, including the luxury cars, was lost to the sea. Estimates of the financial loss varied, but the value of the vehicles was reported to be in the range of $300 million to $400 million.
Environmental Concerns
The sinking raised environmental concerns about the impact of the shipwreck, especially with regards to potential fuel leaks, the cargo’s impact on marine life, and the environmental damage caused by the fire.
However, the shipping company, Mitsui OSK Lines, and other authorities worked to minimize environmental risks, including having teams investigate the wreckage and attempt to monitor and address any potential leaks or spills.
Aftermath and Investigation
The investigation into the cause of the fire remained inconclusive in some respects, but the presence of lithium-ion batteries in the electric vehicles onboard remained a focal point. There were also concerns about fire safety protocols for cargo ships transporting electric vehicles, as this incident was one of the first major fires involving electric vehicles at such a scale.
The ship’s owners and the manufacturers of the vehicles involved in the disaster (such as Porsche and Volkswagen) worked to compensate customers for the loss of their cars and ensure replacements were provided.
Legacy and Lessons
The Felicity Ace sinking underscored the evolving challenges posed by the increased transportation of electric vehicles by sea. As these vehicles become more common on global shipping routes, the industry has started to take a closer look at fire prevention and safety measures, especially when transporting vehicles with high-capacity lithium-ion batteries.
This incident also led to calls for improvements in the design of fire containment systems on cargo ships, particularly those transporting highly combustible cargo such as electric vehicles, luxury cars, and chemicals.
